From: guins1971
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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I'm not trying to start a debate here but what I'd like to try to figure out is, what would a good hunting weight bow be? I've killed a deer with a 50ish pound bow in the past. What I'm looking for is a good all around weight for game up to and including elk. I don't want to be over bowed. I don't currently own a stick but I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on one. I want to stay in the lower 50's as far as weight. Would that be sufficient for elk? I know that shot placement and arrow weight would come into the equation. What are your thoughts?
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From: camodave
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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So you want to buy one bow that is the answer for everything eh...that does not even sound interesting...that is what I think...I even have different bows for hunting mule deer and whitetails
DDave
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From: rick allison
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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Well tuned bow 'n arrow...50lb will kill about anything yer after. That said...what can you shoot relatively effortlessly after hunkering down in freezing weather for several hours? Or, how about doing some contortions shooting around your treestand?
Way too many unknown variables to answer here, but I'm sure you'll recieve some wise and sage advice. As for me, for years I shot 65 to 70lb recurves, and played around with a couple longbows pushing 80lb. Now, that was in the last century and at 62 years I'm surrendering to father time and, this summer, dropping down to 54lb.
I don't sweat it...looking forward to the fun of it actually...and will match arrow, broadhead, and experimentation til I achieve my best results. Its been said time and again but bears repeating, do not over bow yourself. I don't have the elk, moose, or hog experience of others here so I will bow to thier knowledge in that regard...but with whitetails I've held my own. Lets face it, a deer's a pretty small critter compared to his cousins, but I still tried to go as heavy as I could handle...IN ANY CONDITIONS!!! Jumpy little survival machine that seems unwilling to become sausage links. So I match equipment vs state of the critter vs yardage etc, etc, etc in determining weather to shoot or wait.
Don't know if you can follow that logic (???) or not, but I'm sure others will be more concise in their posts.
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From: GLF
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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I use the same bow for everything, keeps my shooting sharper. Mines around 60lbs since I dropped weight due to health problems. I like that or higher but that's not needed. You already said you like bows in the 50's, that would work great for an all around bow.
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From: guins1971
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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I need a place to start. It doesn't mean I wouldn't buy more bows later. I'm only asking for a good starting point in my quest to get back to hunting with this type of tackle.
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From: SHOOTALOT
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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Thirty years ago 75 pounds was the perfect weight for everything big and small but now 55 pounds seems to be the perfect weight. Old age has set in. Shoot as heavy as you can handle as the extra weight sure won't hurt anything and might help if you make a poor shot.
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From: mangonboat
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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I think your answer lies in your forecast of what you will be hunting and where. The great majority of eastern whitetails are shot at under 25 yards and trad archers strive to be even closer, just for the challenge of it. A well-placed arrow from a 35# bow will kill any whitetail out there, some states mandate minimum of 40 and maybe even 45#. It can be surprisingly hard to draw and hold steady in very cold weather with multiple layers of clothing, especially after sitting or standing for a few hours, so a heavy bow that you shoot well in mild weather might not shoot as well for you under those circumstances. If I had to have only one hunting bow for Eastern forests and fields, it would be 52-53#...flat shooting under 30 yards, something I can shoot accurately in any conditions, still fun to shoot after lots of arrows, which is why I kick myself for selling my 51# Red Wing Hunter.
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From: tonto59
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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You pretty much answered your own question. Number one. Don't over bow yourself. Perfectly tuned arrow and shot placement. Two blade broad head. To get the most penetration from your equipment. Check state laws on minimum hunting weights for Elk. Good luck on your hunt.
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From: Deadringer
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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Low 50's will make an adequate bow for elk. Heavy draw weight doesn't mean jack if you can't put it in the vitals, you'll track an animal just as far from a gut shot with a 80lb bow as you will with a 50lb bow. Get a perfect flying arrow and a sharp broad head, and go get em.
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From: Linecutter
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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First what is you draw lenght? If you are buying a factory bow such as Samick or Bear those are rated at 28". If your draw is longer then you will be pulling more than mark and vice versa if your draw is shorter. For instance I have a 50#@28" Samick at my 29.5 inch draw, I am pulling about 54-55#. Which will do for just about anything with my 600gr arrow. DANNY
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From: dire wolf
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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Bob in Pennsylvania.. You need to be able to draw and shoot with good form and hit with whatever bow draw weight you choose..
We can't kill them IF we don't hit them well..and have some basic woodcraft skills to recover them..and that's just for starters..
Depending on where you want to hunt..the regs require certain draw weight bows.. Yes you can arrow kill about everything in the lower 48 with a 50# bow and well tuned arrows and a good hit.
I kinda like the heavier bows and arrows for elk.. 40 years of killing them with bows over 70#s and 730 grain arrows.. So long as I can still shoot the heavier longbows & recurves..I will do so..and I'm retired on SSI..:)..This one I made is 76#@30" draw..Jim
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From: superrman77
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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I created a thread similar to this one a few months back. I think the consensus poundage was 55#.
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From: ahunter55
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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In my stick bow days b/4 compounds I shot Whitetail, Elk, Bear & Hogs with mostly 55#s & a 64" American Archery recurve. Brother killed Whitetails & 1 hog with 50#s.
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From: George D. Stout
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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A 50# bow will do fine with a well tuned arrow and broadhead. This has been literally hashed to death. Do some research on here and elsewhere. Lots more to good penetration than bow weight alone.
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From: Harleywriter
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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My mantra: Heaviest bow you can shoot comfortably and accurately. I don't know how old you are but if your on the uphill side of things, you can shoot your 50-pounder till you're really good and if you feel the need, grab another handful (heavier bow)and work into that.
If the traditional life takes hold, you will want more than one bow. Just how it is.
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From: Dkincaid
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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From what I'm reading you are new to trad archery? I couldn't tell really but if you are you should consider buying a lower poundage bow to learn on. I see folks all the time come from compounds to trad and overbo themselves. If you are new to trad I'd suggest a samick sage with 35# limbs learn to shoot it then get heavier limbs as needed.
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From: larryhatfield
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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the heavy weights from 30 years ago were because people switching over from compound to recurves and longbows ordered the same weights they were using with a compound. (personal knowledge from 52 years of managing howatt archery). 50# is enough bow for any elk hunt, and if you are comfortable and accurate with that bow there is no reason to change anything. don't let internet chatter make you overbow yourself for no good reason.
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From: GF
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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JMO, the poundage question is a lot like the aiming/not-aiming technique question, in that it’s probably a mistake to attempt to START in the same place that you hope/expect to end up.
Near as I can figure it, Hand-Eye- Coordinated/Intuitive/Instinctive shooting technique must be learned, over time, by establishing a solid and precise anchor point which points your arrow squarely at your target every time… and – One Man’s Opinion – that is a LOT harder than it has to be if you are starting off (or starting back into it) at a weight that 90+ percent of new archers will need to work UP to.
Personally, I do subscribe – in principle, at least – to the “shoot as heavy as you can shoot well” school of thought, except that I’ve never been so motivated by that thinking as to go out and buy a heavier bow than the #55@28” that I started with (Note – I wouldn’t recommend that anyone else start out that heavy, but I was young, fit and highly motivated. Longer on ambition than sense might be another way to put it…).
And your draw length matters, too. If you are tall and long- limbed, you will get more out of a bow than a shorter shooter will, whether in absolute terms or on a pound-for-pound/grain- for-grain basis…
As a practical matter, I don’t think I’d buy a bow that did not meet my home state’s minimum(s) for the animals I planned to hunt… Not unless I had to in order to completely master the weight. But the smart money is on learning to shoot well FIRST, and THEN work up to the heavier weight(s).
I don’t know if it’s more economical to buy a less expensive “target-weight” bow, or to go with something like a Sage in #35 or #40 at the get-go and buy a heavier set of limbs later. I guess that depends on whether you know someone who could use the lighter bow after you’ve worked up to something heavier, and also on whether you can appreciate the pluses and minuses of a TD vs. a one-piece…
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From: N. Y. Yankee
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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I think any person who goes after big game should shoot the heaviest bow they can handle well. If 50 pounds is you max, fine. get some arrows that come out to 500 grains and go kill one. If a guy can handle a 50 but goes out with a 30 pound bow because its easier to draw, Hes just being ridiculous. Yes, its done. Doesnt mean its right. If you want easy, get a compound, you are shooting the wrong bow.
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From: Dkincaid
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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NY Yankee why shouldn't traditional be easy? There is nothing magical or mystical about it. Any bow you hunt with should be "easy" for you to shoot. For some that's a 100# bow for others it's 35#. People make shooting a recurve or longbow out to be difficult it isn't any more difficult than any other bow. If you want to shoot to your equipments maximum capabilities you will have to shoot just as much with a compound as you do a trad bow. Or if you are content with decent accuracy with little practice then yes a compound is "easier" for most.
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From: Toby
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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Listen to Larry Hatfield, he has more experience than most and it is very practical experience.
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From: guins1971
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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Thanks to all. I'm not new to trad, just coming back.
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From: Perun
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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I keep this photo from 3rivers To remind me !! Accuracy ,shoot placement and sharp bh !!! Spec. of bow on photo is 50# bamboo arrow and stone point !
So relax :-)
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From: dire wolf
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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Larry Hatfield: I disagree with what you posted ..:
"the heavy weights from 30 years ago were because people switching over from compound to recurves and longbows ordered the same weights they were using with a compound. (personal knowledge from 52 years of managing howatt archery"
Not for me anyhow..
I never owned a compound bow..and have shot bows of the heavier sort since the late 60's..
Al Henderson coached me a bit and I was shooting a 75#@30" Howard Hill longbow and wood arrows..PAA indoor range in Phoenix.. I never shot a perfect 300 round but came close..and met and knew some archers who did.
Al whacked me a few times to keep me focused..:) I've tried to stay focused on shooting the line, getting the elevation right..and hitting the mark ever since..with good results..:) Respectfully....Jim
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From: GF
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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Somewhere, I’ve got an old book on Traditional Archery by Rev. Sam Fadala… He was shooting around #75 back then, and I – for one – certainly got it into my head that #50 was about 50% too light. Honestly, I think it was only a lack of funds that kept me from running out and buying a #75 Widow just like Sam’s… I think I wanted a .62 cal roundball rifle and probably a .338 WinMag back then, too…
Not to take anything away from the guy, but as I look back, I’m pretty sure that I put far more stock in his opinions and practices than he himself probably did, and almost certainly more than he would have encouraged. It’s just easy – when you’re young and full o’ beans and new to a sport that you’ve become passionate about – for your regard for an Established Authority to tip from respect or even admiration on into hero worship…
But Pope & Young shot some heavy bows, as did Howard Hill, and I seem to recall that Fred Asbell was shooting mid-‘70s back then as well, though I might be mistaken on that last…
Anyway, I’m thinking that Jim knows what his circle of dedicated archers were up to, just as Larry saw what was going on with the larger market…
I just wish I knew where some of those moderately heavy bows have ended up…
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From: dire wolf
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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GF..I think I own and shoot a few of them..:) 'moderately heavy bows'..:)but by today's standards..I am an anachronism..Jim
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From: bbold
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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guins1971, Look up on this site light bow kills. They have 200+ bow kills with 50 lb or less bows.
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From: larryhatfield
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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jim, i really don't care if you disagree with my statement and i really do not care what weight bow you shoot or have shot. i know that it is a true representation of the market at that time. do you have facts and figures to disprove that statement?
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From: shade mt
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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One bow for everything eh? i wouldn't settle for anything less than 121# at 36".....might need to tighten your belt a notch ,and take a good belt of whiskey, but it'll penetrate.
Word of caution....that 36" draw can sure reek havoc on a man's ear with that big boy bow.
truthfully you'd be fine with 50# at 28" i wouldn't hesitate to use my 54# for just about anything in North America.
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From: spike78
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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Im one of those guys who shot 65-70# compounds for years so I thought I could shoot a 60# trad bow. Boy was I wrong. 45# it is for now. It simply amazes me about you guys shooting a 75# trad bow, honestly, how do you do it?
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From: Tomarctus
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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You just gotta start and make up your mind to stick with it for a time. You'll get to it. I made a recent jump, a big jump, to a 72#@27" longbow that I now draw to over 31" or about 82#. I did have second thoughts a time or two but now it's not such a big deal so long as I do some basic stretching first. Progressing slowly AND learning what muscles it takes as they get stronger and stronger is what to expect over many months.
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From: Harleywriter
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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Im with Dire Wolf regarding people leaving compounds and going to traditional so they thought they needed heavier bows. I have never shot a compound. I began with a 45 pound bow and worked up to 65 pounds. Now I shoot anything from 45 to 65 but my day to day bow is 55 to 58 pounds.
I plan to work back into my 65 pound bow for this fall. It just flat out shoots a faster, flatter arrow than most of my lighter bows, although my Schafer at 55 pounds is mighty fast and flat shooting.
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From: WV Mountaineer
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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Bow weight is way over rated. Draw length is the determining factor in separating performance from small increases. Don't believe me? Look at Pete Wards page where he graphs speed on known draw lengths with the same weight arrow off the same bow. He graphs it by inches. You'll notice the bow weight goes up at a much sower increase versus arrow speed as he progresses.
Get a bow you can shoot. One that allows good repetition. One that allows you to reach full draw under hunting circumstances. I don't know what to say as to what is a good weight because the best weight for you is different than for me and, is dependent on a lot of variables in reference to the bow you choose. Bow weight is a choice you must make.
But, proper form and tuning is the determining factor. If you are wondering if a lower weight bow will kill, than know yes it will. But, if you can shoot higher weight with no trade offs, there is no benefit to shoot lower weight. None.
God Bless
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From: trad47
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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45 lbs for me. I think more about the arrow and the broadhead than the poundage of the bow. Oh yes... Accuracy kills.....
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From: Harleywriter
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Date: 29-Jan-15 |
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Equipment is the most divisive issue in bowhunting.
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From: Bowlim
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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"Equipment is the most divisive issue in bowhunting."
So what, I can take it. But beyond that it isn't called Howitzer hunting, it is a sport, harvest, seasons, and reputation based on the kind of gear we use.
To the OP, you can't base selection on a poundage, it is the arrow/head that kills, along with accuracy. The real issue is how much speed is your arrow fired at, for a given weight and head, for a given accuracy. We need some kind of rating like mass times speed, divided by accuracy. The distance doesn't mater, if you are shooting at 20 then use that for your accuracy.
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From: shade mt
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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Someone once made a comment on leatherwall? don't know?. But the comment was you could about push a razor sharp broadhead into a deer.
I tend to agree, I think the whole bow poundage, speed ect...ect..ect Somehow got blown way out of proportion, with the advent of the compound bow.
Man has always strived to improve,and to find new and better ways. Faster bows, better arrows..ect..ect
Nothing wrong with that, But to often in doing so, we become naive, call it dumb, blind to the facts, truth ect...
It's hard to imagine but if you jump over on bowsite, the compound guys talk about the same stuff. They are now pushing the 300fps mark with hunting weight arrows. And there are guys out there that are beginning to look at the old school compound speeds as...insufficient?...not sure i'd go that far.We may not be "quite" that naive yet, But you get my point.
Pick a bow you can handle well poundage wise.So you can shoot it accurately, And although we harp it over and over... get your arrows tuned correctly.
I just watched a video of a guy shooting a deer with a T/D longbow, lighted nock...First thing i thought was...poor arrow flight. And we wonder why we have penetration problems? It's common.
And forget all the advice you here from the internet saying, razor sharp isn't needed. Yea you can kill a deer with an old broadhead with an edge like a steak knife. But you, will get better penetration overall, day in day out, with a razor sharp broadhead. Isn't that just kinda common sense? I've done a lot of butchering in my time, and a sharp knife cuts far easier than a dull one.
I have never heard anyone say the reason they didn't get sufficient penetration , was because their broadhead was to sharp.
The most ridiculous thing is you can shoot deer after deer after deer, with a 50# longbow, wood arrow and a two blade head, Get total penetration and quick kills......And guys will still think you need 65# and 290fps.
One of the worst forms of ignorance , is to continue to follow a lie, even after learning the truth.
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From: Tomarctus
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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Guins1971,
I just noticed your second post... Welcome back to the fold!
I too took several years off several years ago. Always shot recurve so my whole life, but when I jumped back in, I surprisingly struggled a bit with motivation. My go to weights were always in the mid to high 50's (and killed deer and elk too) but upon getting back into things, I discovered... Well... That I was kinda bored and maybe a bit under challenged. So I got to thinking about it and figured that since I had to get my back muscles into "shooting shape" I may as well get stronger at it too. So I did, and impulsively got a great deal on a 72# Northern Mist LB here on the LW. I'd never owned a longbow before so that was a fun little added twist. Now, I'm sitting on a pile of bamboo Shaftes and things are about to get really interesting this spring!
Anyway, back to the point I wanted to get to: You'll discover if you don't already know that it really don't take much to kill well. Sharp broad heads, decent mass, and good placement. You'll be golden. Too, there isn't a gob of difference in trajectory at usual bow hunting distances between most setups most guys use. (How's that for a broad brush?) That is to say most trad bows (regardless of draw weight) throw arrows in the same general range of velocity and have similar trajectories. Soooooo... More weight gets you more mass behind your arrow at a given trajectory.
The more-or-less of that is what will be debated forever! :-)
But for me personally speaking, I'M DISCOVERING THAT THE ADVANTAGE OF A HEAVIER BOW IS NOT TOTALLY ABOUT VELOCITY, TRAJECTORY, OR ARROW MASS! I think there are positive attributes that the added stress the weight puts on the mind and body. My releases have never been cleaner, my bow arm is steadier, back tension is multiplied, my focus is sharper, and that's really putting the fun back into it because it's washing out to better accuracy, consistency and form.
Just trying to hit this from another angle for you. Good luck!
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From: lawdy
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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I posted several years ago about sitting in stand and thinking about an article that stated that a cut on contact broadhead took 2 pounds of pressure to penetrate the skin of a deer. Bored, I held an ash arrow with a Zwickey Eskimo about 3 or 4 inches over my hand and let it go. Spent the rest of the evening with a bandana wrapped around my hand. Bullets rely on hydraulic shock, arrows cut. That article was right. If my #46 gets total penetration, why would I risk injury at my age pulling a #60 bow. I am almost 70, never had shoulder or elbow problems with my #46 longbow, and want to be able to shoot until I die.
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From: EF Hutton
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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When I watch my Fred Bear DVD's, that monotone narrator always refers to " that grizz was no match for Fred's 65 pound bow. "
I wonder if Fred's bow was 65 @ 28, or 65 @ his draw length ?
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From: Dkincaid
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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Or not 65 at all
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From: Muskrat
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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Fred Eichler killed all of the North American big game species with either a 53 or 54# recurve if i'm not mistaken. Being a strong healthy young fellow I believe he could have opted for a heavier bow if he saw any reason to.
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From: GF
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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But doesn’t Eichler have about a 31” draw? I’d probably have to pull close to #70 to launch his arrow at the same velocity he gets…
I’m going to have to get a look at that page on Pete Ward’s site, though…
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From: jshperdue
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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Just listen to what Mr. Hatfield has to say.
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From: Toby
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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Watch Eichler shoot, seems he draws then relaxes a couple inches before release.
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From: GF
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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Sounds pretty creepy to me!
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From: GLF
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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I get a kick outa guys talking smack about a hit from a light bows better than a miss from a heavy bow. Well a hit from a heavy bows also much better than a miss from a light bow, lol. Why is it guys assume people with heavier bows can't shoot? The ones you see at shoots that half draw and hunt arrows more than they shoot are mostly shooting light bows. There are no heavy bows at shoots usually now a days. Due to health problems I've dropped my weight down to 60lbs which I don't consider heavy and at most shoots I've usually got the heaviest bow by far. I'm not saying low weight won't work, I'm just saying it gets old hearing guys who don't know any better talkin like all heavy bow guys can't shoot and all light bow guys can. Its usually the exact opposite, heavy bow guys tend to shoot a lot more so usually shoot better than average.
Like I said before guy, 50lb bow is more than enough to hunt anything in north America actually. Check your laws and go have fun.
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From: robert
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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I like the heavier bows, I only draw 27"'s so to get flatter trajectory I decided to go up in weight, never thought that was a bad thing, still don't, light bows work too, shoot what works for you, myself I like a point on out at 70 and 80 yards and I like to shoot really long ranges and hit what I shoot at, the heavy bows help me do that. That being said, 45 or 50 is fine if that what you want to shoot.
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From: r-man
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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I only hunted white tails and smaller game, useing 40-45# bows mostly, never had any problems due to draw weight being an issue, its all about placement of the shot! But if I was to hunt bear I may go to 55lbs , mostly for my own self assurance.
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From: Tom Baldwin
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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OK,I have to weigh in here. For many years, I used to consider a 55# bow a carp fishing rig. What foolishness! I have no argument with anyone here. Yes, I've known heavy bow shooters that were deadeye shots. And lighter weight shooters who killed all kinds of critters consistently. But, the common denominator is that they all shot their bows very well. I killed animals with heavy bows, but I never shot them nearly as well as I shoot a 45-52# bow now. I don't have the stamina, strength, and eyesight that I used to have, so that DOES affect my hunting success. But, I am a better archer now than I ever was.
I'm really only writing to make one point. I too used to say that you should shoot the heaviest draw weight you can handle. What does that mean to this poster who opened with the fact he does not have a stick bow now and wants our advice? I shot daily and hunted every chance I could for at least 25 years before I really understood what "handle" meant. This kind of thread always gets the response from those who have been blessed or motivated to keep their physical abilities strong, and can still shoot heavy weights. That's not the norm. We owe the man the truth. A 50-55# bow is perfectly adequate for everything up to and including elk. A dear friend of mine took a big bull moose and it dropped in 70 yds after full penetration with a 40# bow. He's the best archer I've ever known, but that's absolutely not advisable unless you may know the rest of the story.
The point is, if you can hit a small target consistently at the ranges you will shoot, then 50# is a fine choice for any hunter. If you can't, bow weight is immaterial.
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From: larryhatfield
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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r-man, you can almost throw an arrow though a bear. jack rabbits are harder to penetrate.
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From: longbowguy
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Date: 30-Jan-15 |
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In my prime I could shoot 100# bows a few times, and 70# bows really well. But I could not practice enough to shoot really well, and couldn't make my best scores with more than about 50. I have done a lot of competitive shooting and have seen very few, hardly any, top competitors shooting over 50#. Many around 45#.
Based on that I think most archers will shoot better with less than 50#.
There is an awful lot of evidence to indicate that is sufficient even for elk. They are big, but only about 18" thick.
So for guys of normal stature and strength I would suggest no more than 50, and less for except for elk. - lbg
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From: hvac tech
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Date: 31-Jan-15 |
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i think shooting heavier bows is ok .now i think that over time it does tend to lead to problems etc physical mainly . so the question i asked then why do it ? it has been proven time and time again you can kill north american game with 45 to 50 lb bows .i will say that most of the new bows i see being sold are 50 and under .what i always chuckle at are the ads were the it says like new only shot a few times etc then read on to say 70 lb @27 or even 26 in why not just say 50 lb @20 inches that would be a better selling point .
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From: Toby
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Date: 31-Jan-15 |
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Bears....I frequently see comments that one must go up in draw weight to hunt bears successfully, talking black bears here. I agree with Larry Hatfiled,who has tons of experience with bears,they are soft. Anything that will work well on deer will work equally well on black bears. Elk are a little different, very muscled up from climbing, so I can see going up in dw for elk, but not bears. Just MHO.
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From: roger
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Date: 31-Jan-15 |
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"I'm not trying to start a debate here but what I'd like to try to figure out is, what would a good hunting weight bow be? I've killed a deer with a 50ish pound bow in the past. What I'm looking for is a good all around weight for game up to and including elk. I don't want to be over bowed. I don't currently own a stick but I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on one. I want to stay in the lower 50's as far as weight. Would that be sufficient for elk? I know that shot placement and arrow weight would come into the equation. What are your thoughts?"
Well, one of my thoughts is that draw weight is the most over-hyped, over-debated, and almost useless discussions in conventional archery going on today. By merely switching strings I've gained 12-15fps in a particular arrow. Overall bow design and draw length have far more to do with delivered energy to the target than 5-10# of draw weight ever will. Arrow and broadhead design play a bigger role as well.......but everyone wants to talk about draw weight - I have no earthly clue why.
To answer your question directly, yes absolutely, 50# is more than enough for any legal game on this continent. That's not my opinion either. It's been done and documented too many hundreds of thousands of times for anyone to possibly deny it. Yet you will find a few who insist on trying.
And read what Larry Hatfield has written here over and over again......it is another undeniable truth as well.
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From: Shafted
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Date: 31-Jan-15 |
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Direwolf; you might be as old as my Dad, but seeing how easy you draw that heavy bow back, I still wouldn't want to tangle with you... and I am in LE and have lifted weights for 30 years! You look like one tough old son of a gun!! :). Stay strong and live long!
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From: Wudstix
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Date: 31-Jan-15 |
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Bows 63-67# and hunter @230#
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From: GLF
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Date: 31-Jan-15 |
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Lol, Sorry OSR wasn't speaking of your post.
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From: GLF
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Date: 31-Jan-15 |
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I need a nap,lol. Sorry again, it was your post OSR. Not trying to argue, just stating facts.
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