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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: willhunting on April 16, 2010, 05:05:00 PM

Title: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: willhunting on April 16, 2010, 05:05:00 PM
Hi everybody

I just switch from compound to traditionnal few months ago and love this "new passion"...
I just want to know,

what poundage do you hunt(deer) with your bow ??


thanks

Will
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: string bean on April 16, 2010, 05:06:00 PM
All I have now is 50#.  If I bought another bow it would probably be 55-60#.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: todd smith on April 16, 2010, 05:06:00 PM
45-50 usually

todd
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Oliverstacy on April 16, 2010, 05:42:00 PM
#59 @ 29.5" on my current go to bow.

But you never know what bow I'm going to go with.

Josh
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Guru on April 16, 2010, 05:45:00 PM
#63 most of the time, but will sometimes drop down to #58 for cold. late season hunts.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: steadman on April 16, 2010, 05:47:00 PM
#62 @ my 29"
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Mike Gerardi on April 16, 2010, 05:55:00 PM
#63 one bow all da time.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: willhunting on April 16, 2010, 05:55:00 PM
Ok I shoot to #55 and find it's harder thand my compound for my "body" after around 40 arrows of shooting.
and you ??<

thanks guys
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: joevan125 on April 16, 2010, 05:59:00 PM
50@30 on all my hunting bows.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Jack Whitmire Jr on April 16, 2010, 06:04:00 PM
Have found after 20+ years of shooting a recurve all I need for deer is 50#, so that's what I shoot . It's all about putting it where it needs to be.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Orion on April 16, 2010, 06:05:00 PM
52#-56#
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: sagebrush on April 16, 2010, 06:07:00 PM
For deer I think 45 is enough. I hunt elk also so I usually hunt with 60-65 pounds. That is what I prefer to use. Gary
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on April 16, 2010, 06:07:00 PM
45-50 All I need around here.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: mooseman76 on April 16, 2010, 06:09:00 PM
around 55# at my draw length...Mike
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 16, 2010, 06:10:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by willhunting:
Ok I shoot to #55 and find it's harder thand my compound for my "body" after around 40 arrows of shooting. ...
then yer most likely overbowed.  this is common for folks moving up to trad archery.  back off to 45#, learn good form, that's one good reason to have a lower weight bow handy.

my hunting longbow is 55#, as seen in my avatar.  that's a good 20% more holding weight than needed for deer.  

also of consideration, and as alluded to by guru, typically deer hunting conditions will probably include cold weather.  it's one thing to practice under ideal conditions with a 55# and quite another to do so in real, autumn/winter bowhunting scenarios.

as long as your hunting bow is of legal weight, what's most important is to be accurate at typical hunting distances - these kinda distances will typically be less than those for a compound hunter.  

45# for a stickbow was once the 'norm' and will easily kill medium sized game like deer.

once again, there is no substitute for accuracy - if you can't consistently hit the mark at the distances you hunt, in the conditions of the hunt, then don't hunt until you've mastered your bow.  

after your consistent accuracy improves, you'll need really sharp cut-on-contact broadheads.    

that's about it.  easy enuf, eh?  :D
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Rob DiStefano on April 16, 2010, 06:11:00 PM
 
QuoteOriginally posted by willhunting:
[qb] Ok I shoot to #55 and find it's harder thand my compound for my "body" after around 40 arrows of shooting. ... [/b]
then yer most likely overbowed.  this is common for folks moving up to trad archery.  back off to 45#, learn good form, that's one good reason to have a lower weight bow handy.

my hunting longbow is 55#, as seen in my avatar.  that's a good 20% more holding weight than needed for deer.  HOWEVER, we should all strive to hunt with the heaviest bow holding weight we can effectively control under hunting conditions.

also of consideration, and as alluded to by guru, typically deer hunting conditions will probably include cold weather.  it's one thing to practice under ideal conditions with a 55# and quite another to do so in real, autumn/winter bowhunting scenarios.

as long as your hunting bow is of legal weight, what's most important is to be accurate at typical hunting distances - these kinda distances will typically be less than those for a compound hunter.  

45# for a stickbow was once the 'norm' and will easily kill medium sized game like deer.

once again, there is no substitute for accuracy - if you can't consistently hit the mark at the distances you hunt, in the conditions of the hunt, then don't hunt until you've mastered your bow.  

after your consistent accuracy improves, you'll need really sharp cut-on-contact broadheads.    

that's about it.  easy enuf, eh?    :D
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Jmatt1957 on April 16, 2010, 06:12:00 PM
50-53# Three bows. Sharp broadheads are the answer. I have a Cousin that hunts with a 43# recurve and gets complete pass throughs.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: MikeM on April 16, 2010, 06:15:00 PM
Primarily I have hunted with 52-54# bows. But recently I have started shooting bows in the 46-48# range and am planning to start hunting with these bows.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Ragnarok Forge on April 16, 2010, 06:17:00 PM
55 lbs for everything.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: mahantango on April 16, 2010, 06:23:00 PM
All my hunting bows are 55-60# (3D bows too for that matter) The couple years I shot compound, I had more shoulder problems than any other time in my life. The draw cycle is all wrong to me, all the weight right up front, before you have a chance to engage your back muscles. Just tore me up. Watch the gyrations some guys go through to draw their compounds next time you are at a shoot.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: thunder1 on April 16, 2010, 06:23:00 PM
Between 50 and 55 at 27".
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: DesertDude on April 16, 2010, 06:33:00 PM
58# @29.....
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: poison arrow on April 16, 2010, 06:56:00 PM
The heaviest bow I hunt with is a 60#@28" Martin Hunter. The lightest is a 45#@28" k mag(love that bow) My go to bows at present are 48#@28" ones a Grizzly the other is a Colt Plainsman. I draw 29 1/2"
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: James Wrenn on April 16, 2010, 06:58:00 PM
40-45 for deer and hogs
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Mack_S on April 16, 2010, 07:05:00 PM
Just scaled my bow the other day and to my amazment, I'm shooting 65# @ 28".  I thought I was shooting 62-63#.

-Mack
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: rastaman on April 16, 2010, 07:11:00 PM
45 to 48lbs for deer and hogs.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: snag on April 16, 2010, 07:24:00 PM
55#-60# recurves. It is law in Oregon that you shoot 50# or more for elk. I started in trad. archery with 50# and have, over 3yrs, worked up to 60#.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: BOWMARKS on April 16, 2010, 07:28:00 PM
Right around 45# is what I handle the best and it works on the deer!

 :archer:  MARK
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Bill Sant on April 16, 2010, 07:30:00 PM
50 at 30 for everything from 100 pound blacktails, to 700 pound grizz, to 1200 pound moose,  My BW does it all.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Jim Picarelli on April 16, 2010, 07:55:00 PM
Depending on what bow I'm hunting with at the time...46-54 @ 27"
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: wojo124 on April 16, 2010, 08:01:00 PM
48-53# for me,but mostly 48#.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Archer Fanatic on April 16, 2010, 08:03:00 PM
50-54#
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: ArrowAtomik on April 16, 2010, 08:14:00 PM
43#
Just choose your shots carefully.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: mcgroundstalker on April 16, 2010, 08:26:00 PM
47# - 51# at my T-Rex 26" draw.....  :p
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: House on April 16, 2010, 08:31:00 PM
I started out about 7 years ago with a 50# bow, but am currently shooting 58# and a new 63# Dryad bow that I love!
I primarily hunt turkey, deer, and elk (with some bear thrown in for good measure)

Travis
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Barney on April 16, 2010, 08:36:00 PM
55/60 depending....
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: tarponnut on April 16, 2010, 08:39:00 PM
45-50# is plenty for deer and is a lot more fun to practice with than 55#(for me).
Also, when practicing for hunting I rarely shoot more than 20 arrows, often just one or two(right before a hunt).
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Teacher_of_the_Arcane on April 16, 2010, 09:02:00 PM
Hi All,

My hunting bows have always (circa 1970) been 50#.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Doug in MN on April 16, 2010, 09:11:00 PM
I will just be going over what has been said, (Look at Robs post again).

Darn if about 45-50 just does not flat work for them darn DEERS.

Find some of Charlies posts (SHARP IS INDEED WHERE IT IS AT)

DD
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Bowferd on April 16, 2010, 09:46:00 PM
I've sold off all of my too heavy for me bows.
At 60 your bone and muscle seem to relax a bit.
Still shoot 45-55 comfortably but have settled in on a few favorites that are 48 to 52 at my
28 1/2" draw.
I can hold them comfortably at full draw for an extended period.
Just rec'd 2 new to me GN's, a 52@29 Bushbow and a 51@28 Ghost.
These will no doubt be my Go To bows.
Just heard the Tom calling in the Clan to roost in the back yard.
Sunday morning should be exciting.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: BOSS on April 16, 2010, 10:45:00 PM
63 at 27
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: HATCHCHASER on April 16, 2010, 11:09:00 PM
55 to 60@30".  If you are overbowed at all you may lose a little draw length. Better to drop 5 pounds and gain a half inch IMHO.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: rp65 on April 16, 2010, 11:11:00 PM
45# to 50# Depends on bow, mostly 45#.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: robtattoo on April 17, 2010, 12:37:00 AM
63#@30" for all my bows. It's funny how little weight changes make a big difference in how you shoot. I struggle a little with 65# & 60 seems very light! It's taken me a few years to settle on one draw weight, playing around with bows from 40# upto 86# & 63 is the heaviest weight I seem to shoot most consistently. I'd happily have a shot at most huntable things on the planet with this.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Mike B on April 17, 2010, 01:17:00 AM
I shoot 70# to 75# for everything.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: huskyarcher on April 17, 2010, 05:15:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by James Wrenn:
40-45 for deer and hogs
How does 45# do for hogs?
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Hopewell Tom on April 17, 2010, 06:47:00 AM
This is a question I'm faced with as I'm not only new to the bow, but have switched over to the left side after a right side start. I'm right handed, but left eyed. So few bows to choose from here in Nova Scotia, so I have a 54# recurve that is tough to shoot after a bit. So I'm over bowed, but where to go with this? This site has given me so much insight into this whole process. What an incredible wealth of information and knowledge you/we all have. It can be a bit overwhelming, but sure gives one a lot to consider.
So, for me I'm looking at a 42.5# LH 62"longbow to get my form into place and provide what I think will be a fun bow to shoot. Having fun will keep me coming back for more. Then it's on to a 47-48# something, as we need 45# at your draw to be legal here in NS for deer. Then I'm thinking about 50-52# something for bear and moose as 50# is the NS minimum for them. So that will be 3 bows, which seems like a good START.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Curveman on April 17, 2010, 07:29:00 AM
62#.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: frassettor on April 17, 2010, 07:36:00 AM
58-61#.I have a 65# on order I will be using this year
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: CDR on April 17, 2010, 10:29:00 AM
52# and 57# for me
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: David Mitchell on April 17, 2010, 11:11:00 AM
I use 45-52@28" draw.  In answer to Huskyarcher's question, I have had excellent results on hogs with my 45@28 Hill Wesley Special.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: pitbull on April 17, 2010, 11:53:00 AM
45# at my 26" draw does the job, usually with a pass through.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: walkabout on April 17, 2010, 12:32:00 PM
im right hand lefy eye dominant, but its never hurt my archery shooting at all. only comes into lpay for me when i shot wheelies with sights, which i never really liked anyway since i learned to shoot trtad when i was young. as far as weight all mine fall within 45-50#. after seeing a zebra taken with a 35# im convinced that accuracy is key, although for tougher game you might want a higher weight.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: huckbuck on April 17, 2010, 12:43:00 PM
I've finally settled on 57 lbs. for all my hunting bows. This way if the bowyer misses
by a couple lbs. I'm still between 55 and 60
which works well for me on the animals I hunt.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: BowMIke on April 17, 2010, 01:01:00 PM
I shoot from 47 lbs to 57 lbs, depending on the animal and the weather.
I shot a nice 2 1/2 yr eight point this year with 47 lb Morrison Shawnee longbow and had a double hole with 555 grain Beman MFX 400.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: reddogge on April 17, 2010, 02:43:00 PM
50-55# for hunting.  I prefer 45-48# for 3-D though.  Came across a '69 Bear Super Kodiak in 58# and although I can shoot it fine I'm afraid problems will develope.  It draws harder than my 55# bow.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: willhunting on April 17, 2010, 03:34:00 PM
Just came back from the shop and there is:

draw # 56
speed: 203 fps
arrow Ics hunter 500 : 390 gr.

I will fletch my 2117 this week than I will see..
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Hot Hap on April 17, 2010, 03:41:00 PM
50# +/- @ 30-31"
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: pseman on April 17, 2010, 09:16:00 PM
~50lbs @ 30"
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Earthdog on April 18, 2010, 01:11:00 AM
50LB @28.

Have been up to 70lb and down to 45lb.

Plan on another 45lb one day because that wheight is just so easy to shoot well.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: CEO on April 18, 2010, 12:45:00 PM
55# @ 30"
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: jackdaw on April 18, 2010, 03:07:00 PM
In our bow club, many of the trad guys made the jump from the wheel bows, and concequently went with the heavier 55-65 pound draw weights. After some time, they gradually reduced those weights to upper 40's to low  to mid 50's#, now, alot of them are congregating around 45# of bow weight. They shoot this weight very well and use them for deer and turkey as well as the trad events they attend. The age range of these guys is 35-65 years old. I also shoot in the 43-51#  bow weight realm...I shoot it better for longer range sessions without sacraficing form. If you can handle the weight, do it. If just shooting a few arrows ,20-30,a session then maybe you want a 55#-60# bow...if not, the lower weight work very well.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Smallwood on April 18, 2010, 03:35:00 PM
54#@26"    :archer2:  
It's more than enough... I have killed deer, hogs, and bison with this poundage. no problem.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: BWD on April 18, 2010, 04:16:00 PM
48-52#@26.5"
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: JEFF B on April 18, 2010, 04:25:00 PM
45# at 26 1/2" is what i shoot
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: HUNT 24/7 on April 18, 2010, 04:39:00 PM
I have a heavy bow, & a light bow, I shoot the heavier bow better, anyone else like that?
I'm not able to hunt yet because I don't have my bow course, but when I do I will use my heavy bow.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: Curveman on April 18, 2010, 04:43:00 PM
Yes, I find I get a cleaner release. I sometimes will shoot the lighter bow though to work on a smoother release.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: T Lail on April 18, 2010, 05:08:00 PM
53# at 27"
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: bolong on April 19, 2010, 05:15:00 PM
48# the last couple years.
Title: Re: what is your draw # ? for hunting
Post by: bear1336 on April 19, 2010, 05:18:00 PM
46# @ MY 27 draw