I'll stir a few feathers here by saying I don't understand nor advocate the use of what I consider such a lightweight bow for any kind of hunting. I actually think a turkey requires more bow than a deer. Turkeys don't penetrate well. Squirrels are a small game that can take a good punch.
I know a lot of us are getting older and are forced to drop weight. I'm in that class myself. Next month I'll be 59 and I'm down to 56# now. I also think that using it in order to not lose it comes in here.
Shooting on a regular basis without overdoing it can enable you to maintain that weight longer.
Just my opinion on the matter and I know a lot will disagree and you're welcome to.

QuoteOriginally posted by dnovo:
I'll stir a few feathers here by saying I don't understand nor advocate the use of what I consider such a lightweight bow for any kind of hunting. I actually think a turkey requires more bow than a deer. Turkeys don't penetrate well. Squirrels are a small game that can take a good punch.
I know a lot of us are getting older and are forced to drop weight. I'm in that class myself. Next month I'll be 59 and I'm down to 56# now. I also think that using it in order to not lose it comes in here.
Shooting on a regular basis without overdoing it can enable you to maintain that weight longer.
Just my opinion on the matter and I know a lot will disagree and you're welcome to.

i fully agree.  pull and shoot the most weight you can regularly handle.  this month i'm 69 and i ain't ever again gonna be able to handle a holding weight that matches my age.  them dayze is long gone.  50# does me just fine for the critters i'll hunt.  

this shouldn't be a "fast food sport" - set aside the very few minutes a day it'll take to pull and shoot the most weight you can regularly handle.  at the least all it takes is pulling string, no arrow, no shooting, no special equipment required.    ain't all that hard.  

motivation might be the hardest part.                  

I appreciate all the advice guys, it's been very helpful.  

I completely agree with you Rob about using the same bow for everything.  I feel like 40-45# is fine for turkey and I have no plans to hunt anything larger other than maybe hogs.  I do have a heavier bow that I shoot regularly, it is just not as enjoyable to shoot nor can I shoot it as long.

I am fairly young at 30 years of age and in good health so perhaps I should put on my big boy britches and get that big bad 45#  :D

I have a 42# whip.... It flies through every deer I have shot with it.... But the farthest was about 22yds with a real sharp eclipse 2 blade.... It was supposed to be just a turkey bow... But it just shoots too well!

Definitely 45.

Pulling and shooting and shooting correctly and well are two very different things.  I think traditional archery would be well served by more people going down than going up, based on how well most people I have seen can shoot.

First thing everyone says when it comes up trad is "don't overbow yourself" (which is good advice)  BUT as soon as someone asks for opinions about bow weight, particularly lighter weights and hunting, the advice is usually along the lines of if you shoot a lighter bow then you need to do something different to increase your effectiveness

To answer your question though, for me #45 is he best all around weight

BUT, if I could shoot a 100# bow all day accurately without fatigue or shoulder pain I would, and so should everyone

Yep, if you can execute good shots with heavy bows, then by all means, shoot them.  I haven't seen many who can, though, and a 40lb bow will shoot clean through the things most people want to shoot.  Going to a trad 3D shoot is actually scary, when you consider that those people are going to be shooting at live animals.  It depressed the hell out of me when I went to my first one, and I include myself in that.  It took me a long, long time to realize that I can't shoot anything over 45lbs well for more than about 3 shots, and the scary thing is that most of the other shooters thought I was really good when I was shooting heavy bows.

After a lifetime of shooting, I believe it is not the weight you shoot, it should be comfortable, but the exercise you do when your not shooting. A physical therapist, or good trainer can help with some upper body exercises to help maintain or improving conditioning.  For example, it is important to strengthen the shoulder muscles to reduce the chance of rotor cuff injury. Same goes with other muscles. It will make a difference whatever your age, or whatever you shoot.

with longbows, there are at least 3 different basic limb/riser geometries, and a good variety of proven build materials.

without going into self bows and english "d" bows, longbows that are in the afl style (american flat longbow, i.e. howard hill) will *typically* be the most stable and the slowest, and they brace to the classic "d" shape.  

on the other end of the spectrum are the aggressive r/d "hybrid" longbows that have great amounts of limb reflex and generous riser deflex.  they will brace with some "flip" to the limb tips.  they're much closer to the recurve and some are actually on par with a good recurve in terms of overall performance.

so it might come down to aesthetics of style or performance.  lighter holding weights of hybrid longbows will definitely offer a performance boost over classic afl longbows.  that may be yer better longbow road to travel.

if you haven't perused this article yet, it may be of help to ya ...

www.tradgang.com/docs/trad.html

@Rob, as a bowyer I complement how you address that question. Very point on with out three pages of scientific mumbo jumbo. so nice to read this kind of answer for a change. Most everyone did a great job answering this question. So refreshing.

What a cool thread with very well worded responses....

I might add that our sport is a physically demanding one. You will only get back what you put into this sport. The archers dedication to the sport, and consistent exercise and practice are critical to not only becoming a good archer, but building your strength level and maintaining it...

I wonder how many traditional archers out there actually spend time drawing their bows 2 - 3 times a week whether they have the time or the place to do any shooting? Rob mentioned this earlier, and i believe its very important. Maintaining your strength level requires regular exercise.

The archers dedicated enough to regularly shoot their bows year round and maintain their upper body strength are going to shoot heavier draw weights much easier.... To be a responsible hunter  
you should always shoot the highest draw weight that you can handle easily and shoot well... That takes dedication, practice, and exercise when you can't shoot.