Ok so I have 2 bows, 1 62" 40@27 and another 64" 33@27. Arrows 27.5" from nock groove to back of point and are 600 spine 100 grn brass insert and a 100 grn 2 blade coc chisel point broadhead 1" wide (stinger) with total weight of 370 grn. With the 33lb bow I can completely control it, no problem holding and really picking a spot, so I'm quite a bit more accurate with it. With the 40lb, it's of course faster but I don't feel as comfortable shooting it, I fell like I'm rushing to let go of the weight(it stacks some) and I'm just not as accurate with it on the first shot or any for that matter.

Arrow tune and flight is about perfect with both and shooting into a solid styrofoam block at 15 yds I'll get about 9" of penetration with the 40lb and about 8 3/4" with the 33 lbs over an average of 5 shots with each. I don't know if that is a good yardstick for hunting usefulness? Deer around here aren't big, 150lbs bucks are really big. So, with penetration about the same is the 33lb bow accuracy and control worth giving up the speed of the 40lb? The 33lb is also just about silent when shooting, it's the quietest bow I've ever had.

Is 33lbs. legal? If so wouldn't it make sense to shoot the bow you are the most comfortable with and can shoot the most accurately?

You already know the answer. At 15 yds no deer will be able to tell after the shot. Enjoy your tree therapy and get after it.

If that poundage is legal where you are, I guess there’s really no contest… But…

Your DL is not giving you anything extra to work with. And that is LIGHT.

How is your accuracy at 10-15 yards with the heavier? Are we talking about the difference between a tennis ball and a softball or a softball snd a volleyball?

You said it yourself, you don't feel comfortable shooting the heavier bow. Now add in cold and adrenaline...

Adrenaline makes us weaker?

Tennessee doesn't mention a minimum weight for archery so that's good. Also, I was thinking, if I did screw up and get too far forward the arrow may just bounce out of a shoulder hit or penetrate so little that it just falls out when the deer bolts!!! I'm sure it would be sore for a few days but nothing serious. I do think I could get through both sides in the rib cage. Shots will be from ladder stands 15' tall and I won't shoot over 15yds.

Speed alone doesn’t kill, and a call to the game department can confirm the legality question.

No Jeff shakey, at least for me. Why I the comfortable bow I would feel more confident with.

I’m from Tennessee also, no minimum poundage requirement here.

Shoot what you feel most comfortable with and are the most accurate

........"Also, I was thinking, if I did screw up and get too far forward the arrow may just bounce out of a shoulder hit or penetrate so little that it just falls out when the deer bolts!!! I'm sure it would be sore for a few days but nothing serious.".........

You have to accept the fact that if you make a bad shot.....it's going to be a bad shot no matter the draw weight. And you also are going to have to accept the fact that result could be ugly.

Shot angles from tree stands can cause issues with penetration, so keep that in mind. Get a ground blind and look for broadside shots. They will allow for a straight through, double lung effort with the lighter bows, versus more severe angles from tree stand shots. I've never seen an arrow "bounce off" any game, and don't underestimate the power of any bow, regardless of pull weight. Anything that casts an arrow can be quite deadly.

I shoot a comfortable poundage for hunting, but I don't shoot more accurately with a lighter target weight bow.

There is no anything “vs” accuracy. If you are not accurate with a bow don’t use it. If you are not accurate with any bow, don’t bowhunt. You have to shoot what YOU are confident with. Personally I would keep my shot angle around 10 feet up a tree. I would keep my arrow weight at or above 10 gpp. Momentum is much more important than speed especially with light poundage, IMO. There’s many instances of that poundage being effective on deer size game. All that being said, my personal limit is around 40 pounds. If I can’t manage 40#’s + / - a pound, I have a really nice 50 cal side lock. We all have to set our own limits. If you are comfortable with it, do it. Good luck, hope you make meat with your bow.

Should have said “10 feet up a tree or less”. I should proof read more often.

Accuracy is final!!! All else is fluff.

Grizz +1

In a way I'm thinking the 33 may be better if for nothing else than I have full confidence it can get in the boilerroom with a broadside close shot and likely 2 holes but also I know full well thats the ONLY shot to take, I won't even consider even slightly margial shots that could lead to trouble.

The problem is with marginal HITS that happen no matter what precautions we take.

I liked what Thumper said. If your light bow is really efficient, well, Bowmania took a B&C bull moose with #38. If it’s more of a slowpoke, I guess I wouldn’t want to poke a deer too slowly….

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