Who hunts elk with less than 55#???

ChasingWhitetails · May 13, 2014, 04:45:00 PM

Just curious who has hunted and taken an elk with less than a 55# bow????

Doug S · May 13, 2014, 05:50:00 PM

54# FLATBOW. 2 blade zwickey 10 yard shot arrow stayed in sticking out both sides.
Same bow 23 yd broke rib in and did not exit.

Doug S · May 13, 2014, 05:52:00 PM

Fred Eichler used 54# for years

Prairie Drifter · May 13, 2014, 06:24:00 PM

I haven't taken an elk yet(hopefully this year),but I have taken a zebra w/ 51#@26" longbow.

fnshtr · May 13, 2014, 06:35:00 PM

46# (at my draw length), 630 grain weighted carbon with a 125 Magnus Stinger. 23 yards. Total penetration. Recovery within 100yds.

I will be hunting with 53# this year. The most that you can shoot accurately is best. (IMO)

fnshtr · May 13, 2014, 06:39:00 PM

May 13, 2014, 07:04:00 PM

All my bows are right at 50# at my DL. I have hunted elk with them, but not yet gotten a shot.

I did shoot a nearly 700# Kudu in Africa with the same bow and had no problems.

I do plan on elk hunting again (elk is very high on my bucket list) and will be doing it with great confidence with my 50# bow.

Bisch

Harleywriter · May 13, 2014, 07:09:00 PM

I shot a nice bull at 7 yards with a 63-pound recurve and a Grizzly broadhead. He took one step forward and then fell over.

The arrow buried the broadhead in the far shoulder blade, otherwise it might have passed through. But the Grizzly took off the top of his heart and damaged both lungs.

And that was before I learned how to sharpen broadheads to a keen edge.

I don't think a 45 pound bow would have done that but a 55 pound bow would. That is what I hunt with sometimes now. Between 55 and 60 pounds.

Biathlonman · May 13, 2014, 07:31:00 PM

I hunted last year a fuzz under #55 at my 29" draw but never got an elk. That bow would shoot a 650 grain arrow at a consistent 165 fps. I can't imagine an elk shrugging that off.

ShadeMt · May 13, 2014, 08:04:00 PM

Keep in mind draw length when comparing set ups. Someone with a long draw length can get much better penetration with lower poundage than my short draw length. I took a 5x5 quartering away at 23 yards with 54 lbs at 26" draw Whip. 2 blade magnus for a total arrow weight of about 640 grains. Penetration was good and stuck in opposite shoulder. Bull did not run very far before expiring.

Basinboy · May 13, 2014, 08:48:00 PM

52@26" , 550 gr arrow, 250gr up front on a 29 1/2" Gold tip Blem, 20 yard shot.
Elk went 70 yards and fell over dead dead....

medic77 · May 13, 2014, 08:57:00 PM

I think that it all depends on the draw length. Fred Eichler is getting a heck of a lot more get up and go with that draw than my 60@26. Shoot what is oh-so-comfy for you.

Over&Under · May 13, 2014, 09:19:00 PM

rolltidehunter · May 13, 2014, 10:13:00 PM

Me

Matty · May 13, 2014, 11:20:00 PM

Nice bulls guys..
I have yet to kill and elk with traditional equipment.
That being said, I don't own a bow over 54# the bow I have on the way will end up at 51 and I'm comfortable with that weight..

David Mitchell · May 14, 2014, 09:52:00 AM

Doug S mentioned Fred Eichler. Here is a quote from Fred from an article in TBM from some while back (Oct/Nov 2011, page 88): "I am 6'2" and weigh 205 lbs and I shoot a 54 lb recurve. I could shoot a heavier bow, but it wouldn't feel as comfortable. I have killed 13 elk, five moose, and a lot of smaller animals with that poundage, and I will not hesitate to drop that poundage further when my current bow starts to feel heavy. My wife is tiny and shoots a light bow, but she killed a big antelope with a 37 lb recurve. It is better to shoot a light bow accurately than to shoot a heavier bow inconsistently."

May 14, 2014, 10:14:00 AM

A strong shot with weaker bow is always more deadly and predictable than a weak shot with a stronger bow. I have seen more game shots blown from guys being over bowed than under bowed. I could handle very heavy bows, but being out of breathe or stiff and aching from sleeping on the ground or freezing, all of that takes its toll on ones strength and control, being distracted by how stiff your bow feels is not conducive to making an accurate hunting shot.

MnFn · May 14, 2014, 10:16:00 AM

In David Peterson's book "A Man Made of Elk ", I believe his personal bow was a 53 lb bow with heavy arrows.

I have hunted with a 53 # Blacktail recurve and think it is enough, but have not taken a shot yet. I am currently working on shooting a 60# longbow. Just because I want to use a little more bow if I get drawn for moose. At age 61, is still doable.

old_goat2 · May 14, 2014, 10:21:00 AM

The average draw weight of the bows sold at Rocky Mountain Specially Gear is 53#@28". Most people here buy a bow and setup for elk and then use it for everything else. I personally don't like to equate a certain weight bow to hunt a certain animal. Too many variables such as draw length, broadhead choice, bow efficiency, maximum personal distance etc etc. For example the bow I used last year is several pounds less draw than what I'm using this year but it will chunk the same arrow slightly faster than the bow I'm using now. I know, not really an answer to your question but just some points to ponder. Good luck!

kadbow · May 14, 2014, 10:43:00 PM

This is my "Elk" bow, 53# @ 27", 525 Gr arrow with a WW broadhead.