hunt with? I'm not asking about anything other than what is the lighest weight bow you would feel comfortable hunting the following species with.
1) Whitetail deer
2) Mule Deer
3) Hogs
4) Elk/Moose/Caribou
5)Bear
I like heavy bows and I think most people here know that so this may suprize you. If the bow is of a good design I fell comfotable with deer, mule deer, hogs with a bow 40 - 47#(heck for deer 37#)
and mid 50s for the bigger species. So why then do I hunt with 65# and up? Because I like to fling heavy 14 - 20 grains per pound of draw weight down range. Heavier bows fling heavier arrows. However that doesn't change what I know is lethal and fair and ethical to use.

Im going to be shooting 50 at 28 on everything next year.  I like the lighter weight.  Been having shoulder problems a bit.

57# all around bow for me. I do own a 67# that I consider on the light side of heavy bows but can't think of what I need it for here in North America

I just hunt deer and hogs so 40lbs and up works fine for me.I don't know anything about elk but feel sure I could kill one pretty easy with a good 50lb bow.jmo

I've hunted with 50# to 55#.  I have one coming at 60#.  I don't think I'll ever need anything more than that and I could've probably gotten away with 55# for my needs.

50#'s with a heavy over 600 grain arrow is enough. Stand 5 steps from a snowbank throwing as hard as you can throw. First throw a ping pong ball, next throw a golf ball. Heavy arrows get it done!!!
Super sharp cut on contact broadhead placed correctly will kill anything that needs killing. No doubt at all.

Ishi's bows were under 50 pounds.

Heavier bows do not throw heavy arrows with any more authority than light ones. A bow of the same design will shoot an arrow weighing 12-20 gpp. just as fast as a 70# bow shooting 12-20 gpp. Dr. Ashby has a report coming out about how light arrows with high FOC will outpenetrate heavier arrows without the high FOC. I feel comfortable shooting anything in North america with 52-55#s. Shawn

I know a person who has killed an elk with 41lbs, another who killed an elk with 46 lbs, and a person who got pass thru on a doe using 36 lb 330 gr arrow!
If you hit the lungs, you kill it!

12#@22 inches. Let us know your results.

WHAT WE WOULD DO MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!

I know someone who killed an elephant with a .22

I do not recommend a 22 for elephants.

You should shoot the most weight you can draw, hold, release with accuracy every time you shoot, in any weather conditions, period.

If that means 45 lbs....shoot it...if that means 70 lbs...shoot that. Don't worry about what anyone else does, ever. Do what is right for you.

The deadliest shot is the guy who shoots one bow, year round, same equipment at EVERYTHING, in my opinion. Switching around for rabbits, deer, turkey, hogs, it's going to contribute to poor shooting in my opinion.

Settle on one setup, and use that for all your shooting and you will bring home a lot more to the pot.

what Ray said!    

well i can shoot my 70lb bow just as well as my 50lb, but why does that mean i should take that in the field with me when my 50lb bow will give me the exact same results. Im not saying go chase around grizzlies with a 40lb bow b/c it can be done, but if your after something like whitetail and you use something that you know 100% that it will get the job done with the most respect possible to that animal then use it, you dont have to go out and use the 70lb just because you can.....curtis

I'll hunt anything you listed with 50 lbs.My draw is nearly 30 in. though. I like medium weight arrows because I am more accurate at all distances with them.

Sorry JDS3,I don't buy the ping pong,golf ball example.The persentages are way off.The difference would be more like a base ball,soft ball example.Both would put you down if you get hit in the right spot.

QuoteFirst throw a ping pong ball, next throw a golf ball.  

For this to have any meaning when comparing it to arrows you would have to shoot one made of wood and the other made of steel rebar.

Hint - wear steel toe boots for the 2nd  :D  

Steve

I'm using a 40lb recurve

I hunt with a 68# bow. Always have. To some that
may be on the heavy side. I do not have any problems with it. i hunt elk, deer and hogs.
i know it is more weight than absolutly necessary, and that I could get by with a lighter
bow. I have no problems shooting it and it eliminates alot of What Ifs!!
                                   Paul J.

My "ball" analogy may be off; but....
Shoot a 380 grain arrow then shoot one 650 grains from the same bow. You don't need an FOC chart, computer or geekster with a slide rule to tell you which will out penetrate the other. Plus a heavy arrow makes the bow quiet.

my .02

John III

I shoot a 400gr arrow from a 50lb DAS recurve - will blow a razorcap thru any deer I hit in the vitals. And I am far more likely to hit the vitals then I am shooting a 650gr one.
And the 400 is quiet in my bow.

Others milage may vary, but I know mine works and I do not need 12,14 or even 10 grns/lb for what I do.

Steve

I'm with Mr.Hammond on this one!

Eric

I have dropped down to a 49# ACS and that's the only bow I shoot now. With 600 grain arrows I am confident of killing anything on that list.