Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Anders22 on October 16, 2023, 09:54:04 AM
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Ok guys,
Going strictly long bow for me is new- I have been shooting lever bows for over 30 years, Monster bows Phoenix has been my go to since 2007...
Piles of deer dropped.
This year I have dedicated myself to my Maddog 41# longbow...been shooting non stop since June and fell good to about 15 yards, which I limit myself to anyhow with any bow.
That being said, I feel a little underpowered for whitetail...maybe it is because I am used to slamming through deer and 8 inches into the dirt with my lever set at 63#....
I shoot a 638 grain Black eagle Vintage with 100 grain inserts and either 200 gr Bear razorheads or Grizzly single bevels...
Am I under bowed? Should I try to get to 50, or does 41# get it done?
Haven't stuck one yet, have left a good many go as I was not 100% confident in the shot, but the freezer is bare....so.....
Just wondering if I need more # or should 41 get it done? I know, sharp broadhead and shot placement and all...
Thanks,
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41# is fine for whitetail.
In general, I would tell you to shoot as much as you can accurately. If 41 is it, fine. If 50, fine. With that said, I'm not sure I would try adding that much poundage in the middle of the season if you are already shooting 41.
It sounds like you are shooting a heavy arrow and good broadheads. You will get good penetration if you put the arrow where it needs to go.
Limiting your shots to 15 yards increases your odds for the arrow to go where you want it to go.
The only thing I'll tell you is to let the arrow fly, and be sure to post pictures here when you are successful!
Good Luck!
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That's plenty for deer. I wouldn't be surprised if you shot clean through.
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This topic sure comes up a lot. There are a lot of opinions about this, some of it interesting so searching the topic may prove valuable to you.
About fifty years ago, things were a lot different. I basically flew by the seat of my pants. I did not know much about tuning arrows. All I can say for sure was I knew I needed to practice, and I knew my broadhead needed to be sharp.
I killed my first deer, an average sized buck with my 40# recurve. So I know it can be done, ESPECIALLY with a well tuned set up, and with staying within 15 yards. But I don’t want to hunt with the minimum weight allowed.
For me, the problem is what happens if and when you decide to go after something bigger. Yes you can get another heavier bow and try to switch back and forth. That might work for you. It doesn’t for me.
Eventually, I Just got a bow that I can hunt with everything I am likely to hunt. That for me is low fifty pounds. A little more oomph and a cleaner release.
I took some instruction a few years ago from Arne Moe when I wanted to shoot a longbow. I brought along a 46# and a 52# bow. When I switched during the practice to the heavier bow, Arne immediately said your release is better with the heavier bow. Just my experience.
Maybe not fair, but I have a hard time believing guys half my age (I’m 71), Cant shoot a fifty pound bow. Unless there are medical reasons. I do have a 47# recurve in reserve, but if that becomes too much, I think I will be done.
I hope you get it figured out and good luck with your journey.
Gary
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Lever bow?
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Please come no non trabo pictures, thank you.
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he had just asked what it was, did not know the rule.
Thanks
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I hunted the first four years with a Ben Pearson 45#@28". First year or two at 12 and 13 probably wasn't drawing 28". Probably pulling 39-40#. That was early years and we didn't know much about matching arrows or broadheads. Was lucky enough to kill two does in those early years. Deer weren't much smarter than us. Keep shoots under 20 yards and use arrows tuned to your bow and broadheads matched.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
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I like heavier bows, but I do have a couple of 40# bows just in case I lose the strength to shoot my current bows. If you are accurate and confident with the lighter bow, then go for it! It is plenty adequate for deer.
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he had just asked what it was, did not know the rule.
Thanks
Its in the rules you agreed to when you registered. You might want to refresh as the are also stickied to the top of this forum.
No worries. :campfire:
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The old saying that you should always shoot the heaviest bow you can draw comfortably pays dividends….. a heavier draw weight will always give you a cleaner release, and if that moment comes where you don’t quite hit your anchor point, a heavier draw weight bow will be more forgiving….
There are good reasons why many states have a 40-50# minimum draw weight requirement for deer and elk…. So if you can increase your draw weight, I would do so. IMO
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The old saying that you should always shoot the heaviest bow you can draw comfortably pays dividends….. a heavier draw weight will always give you a cleaner release, and if that moment comes where you don’t quite hit your anchor point, a heavier draw weight bow will be more forgiving….
There are good reasons why many states have a 40-50# minimum draw weight requirement for deer and elk…. So if you can increase your draw weight, I would do so. IMO
X2
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The old saying that you should always shoot the heaviest bow you can draw comfortably pays dividends….. a heavier draw weight will always give you a cleaner release, and if that moment comes where you don’t quite hit your anchor point, a heavier draw weight bow will be more forgiving….
There are good reasons why many states have a 40-50# minimum draw weight requirement for deer and elk…. So if you can increase your draw weight, I would do so. IMO
X3
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The old saying that you should always shoot the heaviest bow you can draw comfortably pays dividends….. a heavier draw weight will always give you a cleaner release, and if that moment comes where you don’t quite hit your anchor point, a heavier draw weight bow will be more forgiving….
There are good reasons why many states have a 40-50# minimum draw weight requirement for deer and elk…. So if you can increase your draw weight, I would do so. IMO
X4
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I also am using a 41# bow this year. 550 grain arrow, 175 VPA 2blade. So far I've learned 20 yards is the max. Passed that, their reflexes are too good for an arrow this slow.
Here's the doe I shot... slow mo video...blew right through at 11 yds.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/6CAMyxbdbrpucqjA8
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All I will say is after bowhunting Minnesota deer for 50 years, I have had pass-throughs 85 percent of the time with the bows listed below.
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I like the responses by Gary and Kirk, its always better to use the most poundage that you be consistently accurate with under all conditions (not just shooting straight up and comfy at summer targets in the back yard). If you take that approach you might never have the unfortunate circumstance of wishing you had used a little more 'poundage insurance' on a shot that didn't get as much penetration as you'd hoped for.
Perfect shots aren't the norm. Bones/ribs/shoulder blades etc. have no opinion about what poundage you shoot. they just react to and reject anything weaker than what they are built to withstand. So a sound approach is, if you can comfortably shoot hunting-type shots with more than a minimum or on-the-edge draw weight, even if the latter 'might' work, and you can do so with consistent accuracy at those higher weights, then why the heck would someone not choose to do that? :dunno:
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I like the responses by Gary and Kirk, its always better to use the most poundage that you be consistently accurate with under all conditions (not just shooting straight up and comfy at summer targets in the back yard). If you take that approach you might never have the unfortunate circumstance of wishing you had used a little more 'poundage insurance' on a shot that didn't get as much penetration as you'd hoped for.
Perfect shots aren't the norm. Bones/ribs/shoulder blades etc. have no opinion about what poundage you shoot. they just react to and reject anything weaker than what they are built to withstand. So a sound approach is, if you can comfortably shoot hunting-type shots with more than a minimum or on-the-edge draw weight, even if the latter 'might' work, and you can do so with consistent accuracy at those higher weights, then why the heck would someone not choose to do that? :dunno:
100%
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Last couple years, waiting and after shoulder surgery.
40# left handed. I'm right handed
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2021 40# passthru
One of 3 does
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Last years Bull. 43# Bear TD. Hit opposite rib. Down in sight, 40 paces
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This year so far, 5x4 Mulie buck complete passthru. Died in sight. Another P&Y Moose, while not a passthru, went 40 yds and down. 2 Mulie does, both passthrus. Down in sight. All w 43# Bear TD
You get the point. Get out and hunt!
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In general I agree with shooting as many #s as comfortable.
That said if Gun’s posts don’t convince ya low 40s will work, one can peruse through the 40# - 45# Bow Harvest thread.
https://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=101178.0
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With todays modern bow designs and all the new arrow technology 40#+ is sufficient to put most North American critters down. The keys are tuned arrows for clean flight and sharp broadheads for good penetration. Accurate shooting at vital areas.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
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I would normally have no input for this thread - however, after having spinal fusion surgery January, 2023 I had to drop down in weight for this year's hunting season as I'm simply not back in full shape (strength-wise) yet. So I bought a black hunter to be able to shoot low poundage cheaply this season. At my draw, it's 41#. I was able to take a 5 point (pictured in another thread I posted) and I got a complete pass through. I hit it in the 3rd to last rib on the entrance side and it exited right behind the off side shoulder (quartering away). Broadhead was an 3-blade VPA - YES a 3 blade (that's because I can get that head so sharp, that I'm almost afraid to get near it).
My son just killed his first trad deer - his bow is a 45# vintage Browning Folding Hunter. He pulls it to 27", so ~ 42#. He also took a similar angled shot on his buck and same result - complete pass through with the ACE Standard.
My other kill this season was a small 8 point with a 49@28 Browning Nomad Stalker (~ 45/46# at my draw). I hit that deer slightly forward of the crease and it went through both shoulder blades up to the fletching. I was astonished with the devastating penetration. That head was a Magnus Classic (1 1/2" 2-blade).
Our low poundage bows have been very effective for us this season. HOWEVER, I plan to be back to my 60lb bows next season. I also believe you need to shoot the max poundage you can accurately handle. For me, having always shot heavier bows (from 55 to 70#), I really struggle with a clean release with the light weight bows... string just doesn't want to leave my fingers. I like the feel of the heavy bow's release - it's crisp and snappy. I like the slighter margin for error that a heavy bow affords me - mainly because of the same speeds but a much heavier arrow so far greater kinetic energy. But again - my results show you that you can indeed get very efficient kills with the lighter bows.
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Nice Moose Gun! That certainly is a testament to what a sharp broadheads, well tuned arrow and well placed arrow is capable of. I often wonder what actual draw lengths are of folks in many threads whenever draw weight is discussed. I only draw 26" so have been trying to remember to list poundage at my weight.
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I feel that light poundage is fine and dandy when you hit em in the boiler room. We miss our mark from time to time and I'll take my 55lb widow spitting 705gr 2219s for the times they jump the string and you catch a shoulder. Or even when you hit em good and blow through the off side shoulder. Just like you said hit em good and your pulling your arrow out of 8" of dirt. Not a bad reason to have to sharpen a broadhead. I'm kinda old school I like heavy arrows and what's considered today's heavy bow. Times are a changing I'm just not ready to get on that train yet