My wife would like to know what poundage other ladies here shoot.I am impressed with her as she can use 60# if need be .She currently shoots 48% and 50# bows. OSR

My wife couldn't pull 60# , but she could handle 30#-40 couple.

My own thinking says somewhere between 1/4 to 1/3 your body weight assuming you are in a heathy weight range.

My wife shoots a 35# Martin Dreamcatcher.

Just like a male, it depends on the amount of physical training they do. Just finished up a training cycle for a woman trying out for the Rangers. Currently, she handles a 55# recurve.

I have instructed and coached a number of women. I have found it best to start them with bows of about 25# @ 28". Less doesn't provide enough arrow speed for good flight and range. Most can move up to 30# in several months.

With diligent practice a few can work up to being able to shoot 35# or 40# bows (drawn to a bit less than that) with good form over a 60 or so arrow practice session, several times a week.

That is ample for all target and most hunting purposes with suitable arrows. - lbg

My wife shot 25# bows, never practiced, had natural ability and could pick up her bow after months of no shooting and shoot pretty well. We shot 7 or 8 big tournaments a year, this was the only time she shot her bow.

Helen has a 26" draw length.. She has bows from 50# @28" down to 42# @28". I have built her 2 longbows at 46# and 42# @28"..she can shoot the 46# longbow over 200 shots in 3 or 4 hours with no problem. Helen currently shoots a 42# @ 28" Olympic style bow with sights and stabilizers, again she can shoot hundreds of shots in a day with no problem..pretty good for someone 5'2"..Helen is pretty strong and works out with iron weights.

My wife's target bows range between 30-35#s and her hunting bow is 44#s.

Around 33 or 34lbs. I had an old 37lb Hoyt Pro Medalist a friend gave me a couple weeks ago that that she shot a few times before I sold it at the Tenn. Classic, so she could move up in weight if she wanted to.

Just in my own observation, many women that I've seen who shoot regularly AND who I also know their bow weights seem to shoot from 25 to 45#. I know a couple of women who shoot 55-60# and do it well, and I know of one woman here in the Bay Area who can shoot an honest to God 100# bow, and handle it pretty well.

My wife pulls about 47#

My wife hunts with bows in the 43-48lb. or so range.

Before shoulder injury 55# @ 28" After I have just got back up to 45# @ 28. Going elk hunting in Sept hoping that is enough weight. Still can't do 50#. I keep trying. Diane

"I know of one woman here in the Bay Area who can shoot an honest to God 100# bow, and handle it pretty well. "

You’re killin’ me, Rick! As a rule, I can shoot my #55s all day long… but I rolled over the Contraption last night @ #50, and it just plain HURT!

Amazing what doing NOTHING for 3 months will do to you… And by the same token, it’s amazing what level of conditioning can be achieved (good or bad) through one’s daily routine… I have a friend who could just barely fight past peak weight on my old #55 compound when his daughter was about 2; they moved out o’ state for a few years, and upon their return he was shooting that bow so easily that I just gave it to him. And I’m gonna guess that any woman who is accustomed to carting a toddler around on one hip will probably have no trouble at all drawing a bow in the same weight class as the toddler…

But JMO…. As with every other sport, it is such an individual thing. My petite wife, when we first met, was ripping down a mountain in absolute command of a pair of skis designed for an aggressive, male skier in the 5’10” range, weighing probably #185-#195 minimum. These were 190cm Volkl slalom race boards with an extra sheet of metal in ‘em, and she at 5’1.5” (I’m not permitted to forget the half!) and maybe #110 at the time…

So my main thought is to not sweat the “average” range; just make sure that the bow is light enough to permit full draw to a useful and repeatable anchor, and heavy enough that it can be tuned properly. Hard to get satisfying accuracy and/or see any improvement with the arrows flying sideways.

Start lower, and build up to whatever she wants to shoot...

My wife's bows are between 30-40 lb at her draw length. She does not hunt , just loves to shoot targets.

Monkeyball x2

TinHorn

My girlfriend year before last was shooting her 43@28 hoots longbow no problem then last easter had a horse accident and tore her right arm bone off her shoulder ball and has a plate and a bunch of screws holding it together. It has healed but she has pain every day and has to shoot her 28@24 fox 3 price takedown now and it hurts her to do it she can no longer shoot her longbow. If most woman shoot enough they can shoot 40@28 I believe. Now it does not pull that at there draw. Widow

Jessica shoots 41# if she is shooting regularly. After a long break of no shooting I will put her back at 35#. I shoot the same. She always ends up stealing my bows.

april moon still holds all the unlimited world flight records because she pulled bow weights of well over a 100# and shot them under control. there is a method that works for pulling heavy bows that does not rely on just physical strength. knowing HOW to use your body is more important than brute strength. the picture is her coach, don brown shooting an 138# draw regular flight bow. he was not "the hulk" either. he was an expert at pulling and shooting heavy bows.

I shoot a Great Northern Super Ghost - 40# @ 27". I use it for both hunting and at the many shoots we attend each year.

Hookeye - if it's all the same to you, I'd appreciate it if you could find a different abbreviation for your ex....

And to Larry's point about technique vs. brute strength... That's exactly how my wife can subdue a ski that's "way too big" for her, according to all conventional wisdom. Roughly the equivalent of her being able to draw into the high #60s and make it look like a #20.

And by the way, Larry... You're going to have to explain that flight bow to me, because I'm not even sure what I'm looking at there!

it is a keyhole riser with an adjustable grip mounted on rods in front of the bow. it also has an overdraw, and all of those things combined permitted the use of an arrow 14" long. they typically had razor blade inserts for fletch in those days. all the other stuff are safety guards so if an arrow blew up on release no bystander or the shooter would be injured. a keyhole bow has an hole through the center to shoot through.

Hookeye, is that something you want your daughters to read?

Me, either.

In our club there are a lot of lady archers who shoot shorter Turkish bow replicas and with thumb release. These bows'(usually 44" of length) pulling characteristics are little bit tougher than that of modern (and longer) recurves and longbows. The weakest bow used is a 37 pounder and its shooter had a spine surgery due to her scoliosis. The heaviest bow is 53" at 28", drawn to 27" by its 40year- old owner. These poundages are that of the bows they use in an entire training session, lasting usually a few hours. Most of them can handle 60 pounders but can not shoot it that long.

Timely thread...my wife's interested in getting started. That'd be great...be fun to have this in common.

I would love to actually see some of these claims. My guess is many are exaggerated at best. It is a rare lady who shoots over 45 or 50 pounds, although a few will and can. Most will likely be well under 40 pounds if shooting many arrows, and most under 35. Anything is possible on the internet though. My granddaughter shoots 29# bow and at 26" draw it's about 25. She can still hit the 45 yard running deer at Forksville, Pa.

37-40#

My wife shoots a 24# Samick Polaris (62"), using Easton 1416 xx75 Tribute shafted arrows. She draw about 25.5". She's not a hunter. The arrows fly pretty quick. Fun bow.

My draw length is only 24". I've subtracted 3# per inch for each inch less than the stated inches on the bows. Is this a reasonable way to estimate?

Longbow rated 46# @ 28", for me at 24" about 34#

Recurve rated 45# @ 28", for me at 24" about 33#

Self bow rated 30# @ 26" for me at 24" about 24#

Gold Tip blemished 1535 carbon arrows from Big Jim's fly well from each bow. 100 grain tips, 3 feathers, 4" parabolic, straight fletch, and 7" vinyl wraps.

I used wooden arrows labeled 30-35 with the self bow to enter into the primitive class at a shoot. The wooden arrows land about one foot lower than carbon arrows at 20 yards.

The other ladies I shoot with use bows labeled 32# through 45# @ 28" They use aluminum 1616 or 1716 arrows. None of the women are taller than 5'4".

After reading this thread I realized that all the traditional archer females I know are short and all the compound archer females are tall. I'll have to pay attention at the 3D shoots this summer and see if it is the same at the other Rod and Gun Clubs.

Just like a male, it depends on if there's any shoulder issues. The same is true is asking a question about running a 6K or marathon. If there's knee, ankle or back issues, that greatly impacts how far a person cab run vs. walking.

Just like a male, it depends on if there's any shoulder issues. The same is true is asking a question about running a 6K or marathon. If there's knee, ankle or back issues, that greatly impacts how far a person cab run vs. walking.

Cdumas, bows down below 45lbs rarely loose 3#'s per inch...more like 2 - 2 1/2 #s and less below 35 #s.

You should try some Cx 800's out of those bows. I think you would really like how they shoot. BigJIm

Yeah, it's a well-known fact that deer hunters and duck hunters don't get along that well!

My wife ,half way through last year out of the blue bought herself a 40# bow and decided to take up archery again after about a 15 year break.She learned to shoot as a child playing around with her brothers.Not being happy with the first bow she bought a Sabo hunter off e bay 47# .She shoots my 50# Skb Korean bow and also shot fairly good with my 60# long bow.The 40 # s to 50 # bows seem to be her favourites.She did try the grand kids 35# bow and was not a happy camper.Since then she scored my best footed shafts and all the good accessories I was hoping to get for myself. For the life of me I don't know why that happened.Her gear is better than mine .How do I stop her she has turned onto a machine?But seriously my enjoyment of archery has doubled since she came back on board.She can out shoot me at times too.I wouldn't call her a member of the fairer sex though.I reckon it's mighty unfair she has better equipment than me. Got to love the wife .I knew she was more than a pretty face. OSR

Just a heads up for those looking for nice quality bows for their wives, or youths. I have quite a few "missed weight" bows from Bear that have very attractive prices.

Grizzly 25 and 30lb at $290 super 48 30lb $290 super Grizzly 25 and 30lb $309 Super Kodiak 25 and 30lb $350 Super Kodiak GG 25 and 30lb $399 59' Kodiak 30 lb $550 ausable 25 and 30lb $450 Bear bulls eye 25 and 29lb $79.99

Some are Rh and others are LH and are only available while quantities last...can't re-order. They just happen by occasionally.

For whatever reason, the super Grizzly isn't listed on line so for now, you would have to call in. thanks, bigjim Oh yeah, we have heavier too

My wife shots an AK-47......It´s just a joke...she shoot a 35lbs @28" Samik Sage but her draw lenght is just 26".

My wife and I have been shooting together for over 30 years and she shoots bows from 40 to 50 at her 26 inch draw. Occasionally she will want to shoot one of my heavy bows when we are shooting long range shoots and can handle 55#. Her hunting bow is 46# for her draw.

Love my wife dearly and while her upper body strength is better than average ,she needs a walking stick or at times a walking frame just to get around.For her to take up archery again really humbled me some what.One tuff lady indeed. Her being a bit rough on the edges like me, she has her moments.Her first day shooting after 15 years was going good as she was hitting kill zones on a deer 3d target fairly consistently at 40 meters.Very impressive as I can't do it that very well.After shooting some nice groups she clean misses the target.She then yells out OH ! F$@K. I was very embarrassed by her inappropriate language. Much to my dismay every one In the imediate area just laughed at my embarrasment .So now when she misses I call that her OH! F$&K moment.She now keeps a civil tongue in her head these days .Very understanding people at my club. OSR

Love my wife dearly and while her upper body strength is better than average ,she needs a walking stick or at times a walking frame just to get around.For her to take up archery again really humbled me some what.One tuff lady indeed. Her being a bit rough on the edges like me, she has her moments.Her first day shooting after 15 years was going good as she was hitting kill zones on a deer 3d target fairly consistently at 40 meters.Very impressive as I can't do it that very well.After shooting some nice groups she clean misses the target.She then yells out OH ! F$@K. I was very embarrassed by her inappropriate language. Much to my dismay every one In the imediate area just laughed at my embarrasment .So now when she misses I call that her OH! F$&K moment.She now keeps a civil tongue in her head these days .Very understanding people at my club. OSR

Easy there, big Hook. The world needs girls who can tell a good d**k joke now and again, so carry on.

Well you heard it. Our guru has spoken. Anyone who said over 39lbs is lying. So I won't bother to tell what my wife shot to kill her moose and elk on various hunts.(was over 39 since most states got a minimum) No man,woman, or child should be hunting with less,lol.

By the sound of it most of the women listed on this thread are drawing more than most of the men who post here........

My wife has shot a bunch of deer with a 42@28 Redwing, a 42@28 Darton and a 42@28 Lost Creek NAT, her draw is 26.5". Only one of those deer did not get either a pass through or the head coming out the other side. The deer jumped the string and the arrow lodged into the far shoulder blade. We have found every deer that she hit so far within 125 yards. The longest shot at 25 yards and the shortest shot at 8 feet, all from the ground.

Testimonial for Carbon Express 700 and 800 arrows from Big Jim's.

Durable and Whippy. Imagine shooting mechanical pencil shafts.

My niece is almost 5' tall and shoots a 25# @ 28" Samick. She's still at the grip-em and rip-em stage, so I can't tell you a consistent draw length. The 700's with half-out inserts and 55 grain 9/32" PDP field points fly like darts.

Worth noting: the nocks are tiny crayfish claws tearing fibers out of the serving with each release. Open the nocks by bending back with a feeler gauge to fit the string serving.

Iv'e never really paid much attention to the claims, comments or average, of draw weight discussions.

My wifes favorite bow is a Bear tartar, i think its right around 30# she's had it since she was a young girl, mint condition , she cherishes it like a prize antique which it is. No way she could draw 50# or more pounds,she'd struggle with 45#. But i'm sure there are women who can.

I imagine differences in women are about as different as differences in men, Which contrary to what many think, varies greatly,and does not always depend on body size.

I was shooting with a friend who is a school teacher, he seemed to be struggling pulling his arrows from the target. I just figured it was his arrows, didn't think much of it. A neighbor stopped by, was talking and watching us shoot. After about the 3rd time of watching my buddy all but brace his feet against the target to pull his arrows, the neighbor say's, with a bit of a disgust..here!...pulls my buddy's arrows with ease, and hands them to him. lol .. i still laugh.

There is a big variation in people....no big deal.

We builds a lot of bows for ladies the heavest hasbeen 53@28 all the way down to 25@28 Hunting ladies normally run around 42@28 to 48@28.

SJR is spot on IMHO. My wife weighs 105 and shoots a very efficient R/D 52" bow 43# at 26". IMHO that is about the minimum acceptable for whitetail and hogs. A better question for a hunting bow is what weights SHOULD ANYBODY be shooting for a hunting bow. Jay Campbell's wife worked up to 73# at 28" for an Asiatic buffalo hunt. Because that is about the minimum for that game. If my wife wants to hunt elk we are going to try to get her into my fatalstyk which is a very fast for 56# @ 28" (50# at her 26"). If someone has a longer draw they can go lower, as well as a heavier arrow. A 600 grain arrow from a 40# @ 28" true draw length is better than a 450 grain arrow from a 48# at 26" draw length.

BTW- I measured the sweeties' bow draw weight at HER draw length, not the standard 28" everybody else uses. Then I made up her arrows to be as light and fast as I could, for the cheapest price. She hits 25# at 25" draw.

The arrows turned out to be about 26" BOP, and with 100g points and 4" parabolic turkey feathers from 3R, I believe they were Trueflight? I was trying to get down below 400g total, I may be at 360g or so. Anyway, she wipes me out to about 25 yds, at 30 I pull even, and at over 30 yds, I usually win. She hits maybe 135fps, I hit 165fps or so, but on close targets in the gullies at Rancho Neblina, Kendra usually tears me up. At least I get to kiss the winner 8^))

TinHorn

What a bunch of crazy guys! I can't believe you're talking about your women's weights! Oh! Bow D-R-A-W weights, never mind. I was a little worried there for a moment! And for the woman who can draw back that 100# bow, be very, very nice to HER!

I heard the one who pulls 100# has a tattoo that says real men do it my way.So look out.In reality we can't be disrespectful to females.We all have mothers sisters wives and daughters.Just remember the saying behind the great man is a great woman.In my opinion a mans life is not complete with a loving woman .thats what God put us here for. OSR

27 y old daugter currently shoots 47@28 dark archer. Her draw is about 26 1/2 s Im guessing shes at about 43/44. She started at 8 with a 20# kid bow and went up to 40# in just a few years. Big tip: when they start drawing to their ear its time for a bigger bow.............

I just started shooting a longbow in Feb of this year. My draw is 26"..... So basing the weight on a 28" draw, I started at around 34-36 at my draw. I now am shooting around 40 at my draw length.....hope to get to 45lb before deer season.

In our archery group Tirendaz female archers shoot 40 to 53 pound bows but most ofthem can handle 60 pound bows. The weakest bow used by a lady archer is a 37 pounder due to her past of having a spine surgery because of scoliosis. But pulling weakerbiws for weeks is a per of the initial training since we're following the authentic Ottoman training method. It is followed by "torba" training where they are asked for shooting at a very close target to master their release. So, it takes usually 12 or more weeks until they choose (with our advice) the biw they would get on well with. BTW, remember that we are shooting short Asiatic recurves that have harsher force-draw characteristics.

I too believe that it is mostly the technique and muscle memory rather than raw strength to pull heavy bows.

My wife shoots a 40 lb recurve and has no problem with the weight. I think she could do more but she doesn't care to. I am really thankful that she will shoot with me!

My daughter draws low to mid 20's. Jawge

My wife shoots a solid 44#.

~20#.

My wife could only 30# on a good day.

My wife shoots 41lbs for her 3D bow and 46-51 for her hunting bow

My wife is 4'-8" ,has a 20" draw and pulls her selfbow 33 # @ her 20" draw. Now you want to match arrows for her. All you arrow makers want a challenge, there it is,? She is picky. Try spine and get constant weights on that. Finishing the arrow weight at 264 grains. 23 back of point. But when you do she shoots it pretty good. Arvin

Some good input here on draw weights for women and I would guess young'uns too. I have an old Damon Howatt Cata;ina that is 25# at 28 I bought used about 1070 for my wife, but stringing it recently for use by one of my grown daughters, it's just too light of a draw for good shooting.

When I go to some of the 3D events and shoot with families, I have noticed that when young folks in our groups shoot with 40 lb at their short draw length, they shoot pretty good at the very short distances they shoot from. So, I know that a flatter trajectory is useful if a woman or young person can pull it without getting tired. I would guess by the input above and my observations that for one of my grown daughters, who works out regularly, but is short and would have a 24-inch draw, a 35 lb at 28 inch bow would be great. For my other older daughter who is tall, but has wrist problems and also wants to shoot with me next winter in Florida, I would guess a 30 lb at 28 inch bow would match the others bow as she would probably pull 26 to 27 inches.

My two grand-dudes, who are taller and larger than me, and who will be about 10 inches taller than me when grown someday, could probably do well with 35 lb to 40 lb at 28 inches. Maybe one of the older bows like I shoot which could be found in those in between draw weights between 35 to 40 lb (like 36 to 39 lb for instance) would work well for them to learn with. When they get as tall as their dad, 6 ft 6 inches, they can buy their own.

Finding those bows is a problem. Been looking for the old ones on auction blocks for the last two years, but they always get into a bidding frenzy. The new Bear grizzlys are great, but don't like the look of the plywood type wood in the risers and don't want other non US made bows. Probably have to buy when I see them one at a time like how I acquired my bunch of old rosewood Bears that I shoot.

My wife shoots a 32lb Widow PSA and a 35lb Toelke Whip . My daughter shoots a 35lb Hoyt Olympic curve and her daughter is shooting a 40lb Whip as well.

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