I am thinking of finally buying myself an expensive set of limbs, and would like to setup my bow to be able to hunt pretty much anything in the lower 48. But I am also getting older so I don't want to pull a lot of weight. I am debating between 45 and 50 lbs. What are the legal minimum bow weights for elk, bear or any other large animal in the lower 48?
I would appreciate real answers and not a lot a side tracking into heavy bow /light bow discussion.
Thanks in advance
No minimum weight in Montana.
Oregon is 50lb for Elk and Bighorn Sheep and Goats. 40lb for everything else.
35 lbs in CO, a little on the low side if you ask me.
40lbs for everything in Washington State. We have excellent hunting for both on both sides of the state.
Wow, when I saw the answer from Kadbow I thought "is that right?". Sure is and I agree, seems a little low. I guess I converted the muzzleload calibers to pounds in my mind and thought it was 45# for deer and 50# for elk and bigger.
I think it used to be 45, but then they lowered it to 35# .
California: All bows used for big game in California have to be able to cast a legal hunting arrow horizontally at least 130 yards.
Thanks for the great answers! Keep 'em comin! I mostly hunt whitetail in OH and for deer its 40 lbs.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bjorn:
California: All bows used for big game in California have to be able to cast a legal hunting arrow horizontally at least 130 yards.
Wow. Horizontally? That sure rules out a lot of bows.
In Kansas, there is no minimum weight. I am glad that I saw this thread. I am going to make a recurve for my daughter to hunt with and was wondering about the weight requirements in Kansas.
No min draw wt requirement in KY.
There is a maximum draw wt requirement - Not more than you can draw.
Flatout,
There may be other requirements for archery hunting of big game besides minimum bow poundage, that you should be aware of.
In Idaho there are several requirements for hunting big game (all big game species) with a bow, they are:
1)Bow weight minimum of 40# at a 28" draw length
2)Minimum arrow and broadhead combined weight of
300 grains.
3)Broadhead minimum width of 7/8 inch and
primary cutting edge minimum of 0.015 inch
thick.
FYI, no requirement to date for distance or
cast of an arrow.
I hope this helps. Best of luck.
40# for everything in Arizona
Just thought about it, it would be nice to know the min weights in Canada and Alaska too. Anybody want to chime in on those?
mass for bear(and everything) 40# @ 28", 7/8" broadhead. for a compound, draw just has to be 40 pounds
In Alaska, minimum 50 lbs for elk and brown bear, minimum 40 lbs for black bear.
NY it's 35# for Big Game.
30# for turkey, 40# for deer/black bear, 50# for moose in NH.
I'd just go with the 50#, do some push ups and some stretches and be done with it.
No minimum for bear in Pa.
I'm curious if anyone here has had the poundage of their bow checked by a game officer out in the field?
Snag, I've had them frequently stop and check licenses, but they've never asked to look at bows or arrows.
40# in Illinois
QuoteOriginally posted by Bjorn:
California: All bows used for big game in California have to be able to cast a legal hunting arrow horizontally at least 130 yards.
How could that be checked, verified, or even enforced in the field?
In N.H., 40# is min. for deer/bear, 50# for moose
They have a small scale that they can draw the bow and check draw weight Lamey.
nova scotia deer, bear 40lb
moose 50lb
(at archers draw length)
New brunswick 44 pounds
Nevada, in the hands of the user the bow must cast a 450gr arrow 150 yards over level terrain.
Ontario, Canada it's 49# for moose 39# for deer. I have had all my equipment checked out when moose hunting in Northern Ontario.
snag, the California reg., as cited, doesnt mention draw weight, but cast....
Originally posted by Bjorn:
California: All bows used for big game in California have to be able to cast a legal hunting arrow horizontally at least 130 yards.
In Minnesota its 30 pounds at or before full draw. They lowered it from 40 a couple years ago.
it's 35 pounds in jersey and it doesn't matter the animal.