Trad Gang

Hi!
I have a Firefly longbow 38@drawlength.

Do you think it is heavy enough for hunting deer?

What if you hit the scapula? will it penetrate properly or stop in the bone?

I`m using a 544 grain arrow, Easton FMJ 500 spine, full length with 100 grain insert and a 125 grain silverflame upfront.

I will test this on a  fresh scapula from a Norwegian deer and see what happens..
Here is a pic a Norwegian deer:

 (http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss142/RonnyMargly/Shogul/kronhjort.jpg)

So what do you think? will it be enough power to do the job?

  :campfire:      :coffee:  

Margly

I'd say for deer whitetail size and animals under no problem. I don't know what a silver flame is but I would be sure to have a cut on contact 2 blade thats close to 3x1. Your arrow weight and design seems good.

Dang with red deer I'd like to have a bit more bow.  They are the size of a spike bull elk or so.

Mike

The Silverflames are two blades, here is a pic:
(http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss142/RonnyMargly/silverflame.jpg)

38# at what draw length? Longer is definitely better in this case.  Those Norwegian Red Deer are pretty good sized, similar to an elk. I'd avoid the scapula if at all possible and wait for a broadside shot to put one through the ribs. A razor sharp silver flame should be sufficient.

Is there any particular reason you'd want to shoot a red deer with a 38# bow? Not that it wouldn't do the job, but your margin for error is dramatically reduced.

QuoteOriginally posted by wingnut:
Dang with red deer I'd like to have a bit more bow.  They are the size of a spike bull elk or so.

Mike

Nathan aka buejeger and I is going to test it out today on the scapulas from these deers, going to be interesting:)

I doubt that you could penetrate the scapula with that set up unless you are real close.

BTW the average weight for the Norwegian deer is for a bull ca- 265-335# A doe is 175-265, but they do kill bulls in my area as big as 530#

So they are quite big  :)
(nice meat also  :D )

I would consider that too light.

I consider 35-38 lbs MINIMAL for even thin skinned whitetails, WITHOUT dealing with any bones except ribs.

QuoteOriginally posted by looper:
38# at what draw length? Longer is definitely better in this case.  Those Norwegian Red Deer are pretty good sized, similar to an elk. I'd avoid the scapula if at all possible and wait for a broadside shot to put one through the ribs. A razor sharp silver flame should be sufficient.

Is there any particular reason you'd want to shoot a red deer with a 38# bow? Not that it wouldn't do the job, but your margin for error is dramatically reduced.

I have no need to shoot a deer with a 38# bow.

Here is my thought:

There is a lot of people unable to pull the heavy bows and, I`m wondering if a direct hit on the scapula with a low weight bow will do the job.
Maybe you don`t need a really heavy bow?

BTW I`m pulling ca 31"

Nathan aka Buejeger is pulling 29" and will test with his 42@29 Black Douglas Hex V.

Margly

I have two 66" recurve bows and one of them is a 37# @ 30" and it shoots a very heavy 32" BOP 2114 aluminum arrow weighing 550 grains which equates to a 14.86 GPP (grains per pound) arrow. The arrow is tipped with a STOS 160 grain 2 blade broadhead. I don't take a shot over 20 yards and I wait for a broadside shot where the arrow will get a complete pass through taking out both lungs. This setup will easily kill a whitetail deer.

Even though a red deer is a big deer, it's still a thin skinned animal. With you shooting 38# with a 544 grain arrow, this equates to a 14.31 GPP (grains per pound arrow). Keep the shot 20 yards and under and wait for a broadside lung shot and you should have no problems killing a red deer with your setup.

QuoteOriginally posted by Mike/Columbia Basin:
I doubt that you could penetrate the scapula with that set up unless you are real close.

I will do the test from my max hunting distance ca 20 yards   :archer:

BTW I will also post video of the testing so it might be interesting:)

Margly

I look forward to the results. I would expect to have a lot of trouble with the scapula even with bows 10-15 pounds heavier -- and even more if the ridge is struck.

What a beautiful beast you have access too!

QuoteOriginally posted by Bowwild:
I look forward to the results. I would expect to have a lot of trouble with the scapula even with bows 10-15 pounds heavier -- and even more if the ridge is struck.

What a beautiful beast you have access too!

Yes they are beautiful  :)
And the best part it is a lot of them around here, the bad part they ain't allowed to hunt with a bow  :(

Margly,

I have hunted elk my entire life and I suspect your red deer are going to be to heavily boned for a penetration of the scapula at that arrow weight.  That broadhead is pretty large which won't help with penetration.  If you want to simulate that shot properly you need something to represent the hide and a couple inches of meat as well as the scapula for your testing.

38 lbs will kill anything in the northern hemisphere, as long as you put the arrow in the boiler room ( soft tissue hit .  American indians killed millions of animals including grizzlies with light bows for millenia.   I suspect that a hit on a thick part of a rib would stop that arrow from that bow.

QuoteOriginally posted by Ragnarok Forge:
Margly,

I have hunted elk my entire life and I suspect your red deer are going to be to heavily boned for a penetration of the scapula at that arrow weight.  That broadhead is pretty large which won't help with penetration.  If you want to simulate that shot properly you need something to represent the hide and a couple inches of meat as well as the scapula for your testing.

38 lbs will kill anything in the northern hemisphere, as long as you put the arrow in the boiler room ( soft tissue hit .  American indians killed millions of animals including grizzlies with light bows for millenia.   I suspect that a hit on a thick part of a rib would stop that arrow from that bow.

I just have the scapula, no hide or meat to hang around it, but it will give me a hint of the power needed.

When I have done this test I and see the result I might take a skin from a deer and test with that in the front.

I think not the hide or some meat will stop the arrow but the scapula might, It`s going to be interesting.

Margly

Watching this one closely as I've dropped bow weight considerably due to shoulder injury.  Thanks for taking the time to video and post your results.

I think hitting the scapula is bad even if your shooting 50-55 pounds. Everyone on here will probably tell you that 50-55 is enough.If I get where 35 pounds is all I can shoot I`ll shoot a 500 grain arrow with a two blade head and go hunting. A scapula won`t change my mind. If the ability to put the arrow in "softer" spots goes away then I`ll probably pick up a musket.RC

You really need something in front of that scapula, like Ragnarok Forge said. You don't have steaks in Norway?

several years ago in TBM they had a article with light bows and heavy shafts..women who wasnt able to pull heavy weights but using shafts that was extremely heavy was having success on deers and elks and hogs..the whole purpose was to use heavy shafts and proper shot placement was the key..when I was living in Germany as a kid ..I became friends with a German butcher(old school butcher) who hunted with his guns..well he killed a red deer and was teaching me how to butcher..he knew I shot bows and asked me if a arrow would penetrate the shoulder..wasnt sure at the time..I went home and got a 35# bow and a heavy 600grain shaft with a old school bear razorhead that I sharpened and shot the scapula at 15 yards and the shaft penetrated about halfway thru..needless to say I was impressed and so was he..he saved that and after it dried ..he hung it in his butcher shop..so it is debateble whether 38# would do it or not but with a 31" draw..your generating more energy than say me with a 27" draw..if able to draw more weight then I personally would do so but ultimitly if its legal then its your choice...good luck

Just the scapula should be fine for the first cut (pun intended). If the set-up doesn't penetrate, case closed. If the broadhead gets through, then you'll need to add a bit more realism with some muscle and hide.

Not legal in Texas. If it were I would still hunt with at least a 50# bow just to make sure.

This a a very light setup even with an heavy arrow. And red stags are closer to elk in bone structure than to whitetail deer. I would consider 50# a minimum and I don't think this bow would be legal in Norway to hunt this kind of game either. During bowhunting, shot angles can change upon the reaction of the animal, so a little more firepower usually helps when something doesn't go 100% right. And 100% right is not very likely....
And in all honesty, a grown men should be able to pull 50# easily. I disagree with the current movement to use target weight bows for big game hunting....

Well the test is done.... I will be getting the video sorted once I get the kids to bed and will get it up on my server and send Ronny the links for posting.... This was a very interesting test... To say the least.... Especially for me and Ronny that have hunting recurves in the 50 to 70# range... I shot from 42 to 65# Ronny shot from 38 to 66# if I remember correctly...
Sorry guys, but youre gonna have to wait just a little longer for the vids...

QuoteOriginally posted by tecum-tha:
This a a very light setup even with an heavy arrow. And red stags are closer to elk in bone structure than to whitetail deer. I would consider 50# a minimum and I don't think this bow would be legal in Norway to hunt this kind of game either. During bowhunting, shot angles can change upon the reaction of the animal, so a little more firepower usually helps when something doesn't go 100% right. And 100% right is not very likely....
And in all honesty, a grown men should be able to pull 50# easily. I disagree with the current movement to use target weight bows for big game hunting....

Unfortunately it's not legal to bowhunt in Norway!
But I have an opinion that with a proper setup you could hunt with poundage under 50.

It all have something to do with how accurate, close, weight of arrow, sharp broadheads and to pick the right game     :)  When it all comes to be able to pull more than 50# what
about the men and women who cant do it because of strength or muscle/skeleton issues, should they just stop the bowhunt?

I know this setup probably is on the light side of what many would choose, but that aint the point!

The point is:
Will it penetrate the scapula enough to kill at a 20 yard distance?

Margly

:campfire:     :archer:

enough of this scapula talk. That is not what bowhunting is about. Forget whatyou might be able to do - animals move - and 38# is NOT enough for big game hunting - and I do not care if there are people who can't pull a hunting weight bow - if I live long enough it will happen to me. The answer is YES if someone cannot handle a heavier bow then they should not hunt big game with a bow. Get over it and get a real bow if you want to hunt big game. Playing around with a 38# bow on red deer will hurt our cause. And even if a 38# bow does penetrate a scapula it does not qualify  that bow as efficient big game archery tackle.
<><
<--------------------<<<<<

QuoteOriginally posted by camoman:

Not legal in Texas.

The above is incorrect. Texas does not have a minimum draw weight requirement so a 38# bow is legal. Click on the link below and scroll on down to the section for longbows, compound bows and recurve bows.

  http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/hunt/means/

I agree with Cory, we shouldn't even mess around with how low of poundage we can get away with. When the time comes that I will no longer be able to pull a +40lb bow, then I will pursue game with a rifle or a camera. The animals that we hunt deserve that we shoot them with equipment that doesn't meet the "bare minimum". These are only my thoughts...to each their own.

QuoteOriginally posted by Cory Mattson:
enough of this scapula talk. That is not what bowhunting is about. Forget whatyou might be able to do - animals move - and 38# is NOT enough for big game hunting - and I do not care if there are people who can't pull a hunting weight bow - if I live long enough it will happen to me. The answer is YES if someone cannot handle a heavier bow then they should not hunt big game with a bow. Get over it and get a real bow if you want to hunt big game. Playing around with a 38# bow on red deer will hurt our cause. And even if a 38# bow does penetrate a scapula it does not qualify  that bow as efficient big game archery tackle.
<><
<--------------------<<<<<

Not what bowhunting is about???

In my opinion the more I know about penetration and how different bowweights is functional the better.

For the "cause" of bowhunting I would like to know so much as possible before I go out hunting just to secure that I don`t do anything I shouldn`t do.

If 38# is enough I don't know because I`ve never tried it!
But I do believe that it is possible.

Margly

QuoteOriginally posted by jason1040:
I agree with Cory, we shouldn't even mess around with how low of poundage we can get away with. When the time comes that I will no longer be able to pull a +40lb bow, then I will pursue game with a rifle or a camera. The animals that we hunt deserve that we shoot them with equipment that doesn't meet the "bare minimum". These are only my thoughts...to each their own.

well said!

Just to clarify:
I`m not out to "preach" for as low poundage as possible, I just wanna see the result.
And as soon as photobucket is finished uploading I`ll post it  :)  

BTW in the test I also did shoot a DAS with Border limbs 58# with a 710grain arrow, and a Firefly longbow 65# with 827 grain arrow to see the results.

Margly

I`m having a problem with photobucket so Nathan aka buejeger will post the vid of the 38# firefly shot.


Margly

Just to put things in perspective, both I and Ronny regularly shoot heavy bows from 50 to 72# but we wanted to see the results of hitting a scapula (of course not where we would be aiming but as others have said animals move) with a lower poundage bow...  Put it in the boiler room and ofcourse 40# will do the job, but what if things go wrong?  We like to test and see.  I also shot my 65% Border limbed DAS.
Here is a foto of the damage done to the thickest part of the scapula with a 42# Black douglas recurve, 650 grain arrows, Beman mfx 500 spine, 50 grain brass insert and Nanook broadhead...
This bow delivers the same speed as my 50# black widow...
And with this arrow delivers 0.45 slug momentum....
   (http://homepage.mac.com/nlediard/Sites/scap1.jpg)

Here is a video of Ronny shooting his 38# longbow...
 Video (http://homepage.mac.com/nlediard/Sites/38.mov)

And here I am shooting the 42# Black Douglas aiming for the leg bone......
 Video (http://homepage.mac.com/nlediard/Sites/42.mov)

OK then the vids are up   :archer:

Apparently the number on the side of the bow is just a number.  Killing power is about the arrow, how good it flies, how good the broadheads works, and to a degree how fast it is going versus its weight and  also where it is placed. No one would criticize someone using a 55 pound selfwood flat limb, but if the bow has less than that 40 on the handle, even if it shoots the same arrow faster than the selfwood, watch out.  There is a point where on a standing animal the arrow will either not penetrate or bounce off with a large bone hit.  i have seen a number of mechanical broadheads fail miserably out of long draw fast shooting compounds.  I am not comfortable with generalities being cast over the bow weight issue, every individual needs to try to get the best set up for their own parameters.  If these videos are any clue, there is plenty of power shown to kill any deer in in Iowa.  I would opt for more power on something as large as a small elk for myself.

QuoteOriginally posted by pavan:
Apparently the number on the side of the bow is just a number.  Killing power is about the arrow, how good it flies, how good the broadheads works, and to a degree how fast it is going versus its weight and  also where it is placed. No one would criticize someone using a 55 pound selfwood flat limb, but if the bow has less than that 40 on the handle, even if it shoots the same arrow faster than the selfwood, watch out.  There is a point where on a standing animal the arrow will either not penetrate or bounce off with a large bone hit.  i have seen a number of mechanical broadheads fail miserably out of long draw fast shooting compounds.  I am not comfortable with generalities being cast over the bow weight issue, every individual needs to try to get the best set up for their own parameters.  If these videos are any clue, there is plenty of power shown to kill any deer in in Iowa.  I would opt for more power on something as large as a small elk for myself.

Well said  :thumbsup:  

I`m totally agreeing with you.
This test was done to see how good or bad the penetration was with low poundage and high poundage.

My hunting bows are heavier and my goto longbow is a Firefly in 65@31 and with 827 grain arrows I know I have the power to kill game that comes inside my killzone.

But I really got an eyeopener today regarding the hard-hitting arrows from a 38# longbow  :archer2:  

Margly

Thanks Margly and Buejager! Interesting and well done.

QuoteOriginally posted by Bjorn:
Thanks Margly and Buejager! Interesting and well done.

Thanks Bjorn!
It was indeed interesting!

Margly

I've known what very heavy GPP arrows shot from low poundage trad bows, when coupled with very sharp 2 blade broadheads from a 20 yards or less broadside shot through both lungs, can do ...... for the last 46 years. This is the reason why I continue to shoot low poundage bows when bowhunting whitetail deer, mule deer, small feral hogs (I like tender wild pork) and javelina.

Quoteenough of this scapula talk. That is not what bowhunting is about. Forget whatyou might be able to do - animals move - and 38# is NOT enough for big game hunting - and I do not care if there are people who can't pull a hunting weight bow - if I live long enough it will happen to me. The answer is YES if someone cannot handle a heavier bow then they should not hunt big game with a bow. Get over it and get a real bow if you want to hunt big game. Playing around with a 38# bow on red deer will hurt our cause. And even if a 38# bow does penetrate a scapula it does not qualify that bow as efficient big game archery tackle.  

I disagree with this, if it's legal in the state a person should be able to use what they can pull. I myself will not give up bowhunting as long as I can pull the legal weight even if it means dropping back to our states legal weight of over 35#. And I'll still kill more deer than a lot of the poseurs will   :bigsmyl:

BTW the shot in the clip with my 38# longbow was a distance of ca 17 yards

Margly

and the clip with me shooting the Blacjk Douglas was at 20 yards...

Hey gang lets keep my comments in context. Never implied anyone should "give up bowhunting" - I am specifically talking about "big game" - which red deer certainly are. the info presented is interesting - and encouraging when we see what a well balanced arrow can do. I do not consider most whitetails big game - at least not in the true sense - say under 100# light bows no problem - blackbuck cool - 70# hogs cool. When you get into 250# bucks, 170# hogs , 400# bears there needs to be a seriousness to our approach - and the old "if its legal" is lame and tired. Not good enough for serious big game hunting and I stand by my statements originally stated. As far as numbers - we got em - and it is how we learned all this. But hey way back my daughter killed a hog with a 32# longbow bow so I help folks hunt with light tackle - but not for a red deer.
<><
<---------------<<<<<

Looks like you could have shot it with a metal blunt and broke through it...
Tests like that are neat and fun but dont really prove anything to real world hunting situations if you ask me.

Nice job guys.  Within a reasonable range that #38 bow can kill large animals, if the arrow is sharp and well placed.  

In my state, the minimum legal draw weight is #40.  My younger son has a #40 bow that I like to shoot, as I can shoot it all day and be very accurate.  I admit I have no experience on "bigger" animals, but I feel confident that it could take any white tail around here.

personally imho, particularly if you can hold more weight, it's not at all smart to stickbow hunt big game with "weenie weight stickbows", even if legal.  just increases the chances for error ... i don't see the point at all.

ps - definitely what cory said.

for all the guys that say 38 is to low.how did the cavemen down animals? they were small little guys and no way could they chuck a speer very hard.the native american indians bows couldnt have been very heavy and they killed everything out there.it just makes sense that with todays technology and b-head sharpness that it would penetrate..cant argue the video thats for sure ...well done guys.  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

papa, this ain't the stone age or the wild west.  

use the right weapon for the game being hunted.  

big deer like reds and 38# stickbows don't make sense and invite nothing but trouble.

Here's a video of a guy across the pond shooting a Silerfalme on a FMJ thru a shoulder blade with 38# @ 31" longbow.

http://homepage.mac.com/nlediard/Sites/38.mov

Here is a Nanook bh shot from a 42# Border Black Douglas thru a leg bone.

http://homepage.mac.com/nlediard/Sites/42.mov
__________________

What I find interesting here is the weight thing... This weeny weight stick bow  :)   is spitting out arrows of the same weight at the same speed as my 50 pound black widow... Giving me 0.45 slug in momentum.... Why are we hung up on bow weight? Should not the speed/weight of the arrow be a better judge of performance?
Now I am not saying that I am going to through all my heavy bows and/or limbs out and just shoot light bows, but this was an experiment just to see what would happen if an arrow shot from a lightish bow would do when it hit bone....
Good to read everyones points of view on this subject.
  :campfire:

not ever saying big game can't be killed with light bows, just saying that both the skill and luck factors are highly escalated in that kinda situation.  not smart, imho.

Didnt the Indians use 30ib bow to kill Buffalo ??

bow holding weight implies both arrow speed and trajectory.  

a 40# stickbow uses a 400gr arrow for 10gpp.  increase that arrow weight to 600gr and yer lobbing that arrow - you need to get real close to the game.  

none of this lightweight bow stuff makes any rational sense if you can handle heavier holding weights.

QuoteOriginally posted by Bob Macioch:
Didnt the Indians use 30ib bow to kill Buffalo ??

no no no no NO - we're NOT going there!  

this thread is coming to an abrupt end ........

Rob
I dont understand your and Tradgang's view on light poundage bows......most states have limits so if it legal why should you and Tradgang take such a harsh stance??????

Why don't we say you need an arrow weighing x... And traveling at x... FPS  and forget this bow# crap! So many factors and all bows arn't born equal!

QuoteOriginally posted by Bob Macioch:
Rob
I dont understand your and Tradgang's view on light poundage bows......most states have limits so if it legal why should you and Tradgang take such a harsh stance??????

most states don't know squat about trad bowhunting and have less than realistic stickbow weight rules that are probably not effectively enforced.

but more importantly, hunt with as much bow holding weight as you can consistently/accurately control

threads like this can easily become a mantra for folks to hunt the wrong game with the wrong stickbow holding weight, and does a disservice to newbies.

QuoteOriginally posted by RLA:
Why don't we say you need an arrow weighing x... And traveling at x... FPS  and forget this bow# crap! So many factors and all bows arn't born equal!

but who's gonna enforce such rules?  there's enuf government in our lives already and it still comes down to your personal ethics and smarts.

yes, not all stickbows of the same holding weight are equal, but those are the exception rather than the rule.

QuoteOriginally posted by Rob DiStefano:
 

QuoteOriginally posted by Bob Macioch:
Rob
I dont understand your and Tradgang's view on light poundage bows......most states have limits so if it legal why should you and Tradgang take such a harsh stance??????

most states don't know squat about trad bowhunting and have less than realistic stickbow weight rules that are probably not effectively enforced.

but more importantly, hunt with as much bow holding weight as you can consistently/accurately control

threads like this can easily become a mantra for folks to hunt the wrong game with the wrong stickbow holding weight, and does a disservice to newbies. [/b]

Ok but shouldnt your concern be with a persons choice of shot (too far,bad angle and not enough practice) instead of a bows poundage.An arrow shot from a 40lb bow in the boiler room will kill quickly every time.

Just so we can learn something here Rob, how many FPS would a 600gr. Arrow need to be shot to be worthy of using on big game? Not trying to be a smart a-- here. Just asking to get an idea of what people think out there.

As long as you get good fps, good arrow flight and use enough weight the # of bow should not be the biggest issue.

It is a big difference in drawing 31" and 27"

In my opinion the trad bowhunting is also about getting close enough to get a clean kill. If that means that I have to be inside 15 yards with a light bow..well then that is what that's going to happen.
The same with a heavy bow, I know that I have higher fps etc with that, but I also know that the heavier then more difficult it is for at least me to shoot it accurate.

But I`m also agreeing with Rob DiStefano that if you can shoot heavier so do it.

But that was not the issue here, we tested several bows and to both Nathan and my surprise this went real good with light poundage and heavy arrows.

That you are "throwing potatoes" with low # and heavy arrows that is possible correct but inside 20 yards that might not be the biggest challenge!

BTW the fps I got from my 38 # longbow was an average of 158 fps with the 544 grain arrow.

I`m not sure what you think about that but for me that might do the trick.

For the record I`m not recommending anybody to go out hunting big game with low bow-weight and light arrows, I`m just presenting the facts from what Buejeger and I did find out today!

If this would make other people use this as a truth for hunting...well hopefully people have places like this to ask questions before they go out in the woods. And they should also do testing with their equipment and train properly first

But in my opinion I would rather be a little to light than to heavy, you gotta control the equipment you are using from guns to bows!
(just my humble opinion)

Margly

Since someone asked for fps speed.

My 66", 42# @ 30" recurve bow with a 12 strand Dyna97 bowstring shoots a 32" BOP 2117 aluminum arrow weighing 637 grains at an initial speed of 153 fps.

My 66", 37# @ 30" recurve bow with a 13 strand Dyna97 bowstring shoots a 32" BOP 2114 aluminum arrow weighing 550 grains at an initial speed of 155 fps.

As I see the original poster isn't doing anything more than trying to satisfy himself as to whether something would work or not.

For him the answer is moot if I understand his situation as the bowhunting red deer or any other animal is out of the question since bowhunting is not allowed in his country.

I find no fault at his asking himself the question then trying to prove whether or not it would work.

Maybe he will prove it would be unethical to use a light weight bow, maybe not.

I personally want to use as much draw weight as I can handle. I'd never go after whitetail deer with anything less than 40@28 but that's my personal decision.

I may be short sighted but I don't see the harm in asking the question then trying to test the hypothesis.

Just one more persons take(opinion)

God bless,Mudd

My wife's NAT broke 170 fps three shots in a row with her shooting it, such a weenie little speed demon bow.  Kind of made me mad because my heavy pignut hickory would not put out the same arrows that fast, but it did blow a 460 grain arrow through a deer like it was not there.  Education and common sense can be preached to and ignored by beginners and experienced alike.  I would advocate using a heavier bow weight if the person can manage it of course, I have seen experts with lighter bows, 38 to 42 pounds, have numerous efficient kills on their success list. However, I have seen many more folks totally over bowed that could not possibly consider themselves efficient hunters.  Knowledge and skill come together to make a setup work for the individual.  It is up to the experienced to share their knowledge and up to the beginner to learn what will work for them.  It is not up to me to judge by arbitrary guide lines other than to make a suggestion or two. If it is a dead slow solid fiberglass that is 35 pounds, I would advise against using it.  If it is a 38 pound speed demon, I try to find the best arrow for it, if it is an 80  pound longbow that the owner cannot pull very far or control, it takes diplomacy and a couple of sessions to find out what the person should be using instead.  I knew a man that bought a 100 pound bow because he was bigger than me and I was shooting hundreds of arrows a day with a 90 pounder.  If he would have been nicer about it I would have gladly let him use one of my 50 pound bows, but then I warned him as much as possible about not getting a bow that he could not pull.  Some people will not listen, they start out this hunting the hard way by learning the hard way.
 then there was the compound shooter that walked in with us.  he constantly was going on how my wife should be shooting a bow like his.  when we got near (24 yards) a fresh round bale he unscrewed his mechanical broadhead and put on a target point, declared his mark and half a life time later released and missed it by a couple of inches.  He said "there that is what this bow will do."  My wife then shot her three blunts in about 12 seconds on top of his arrow and said "that is what this bow will do".  I expect one day he will be joining our ranks, I have never had anyone badger me with as many questions as he has since that day.

hunt with whatever holding bow weight you feel most accurate, most comfortable shooting, and most ethical for the kind of game you hunt.