I am shooting a little 45# recurve that measures 38# with my short draw length. Is that enough for a pass thru on a whitetailed deer?

there are alot of post on this topic with some great advice if you use the "search" function that is near the "new topic" button.

Type in "minimum draw weight" and search in the pow wow section. You will get alot of good post on the subject.

the bow is just the delivery system,the "arrow" is the main ingredient in the hunting scenario,if the arrow is tuned to the bow,and you make good shot placement,even 30# is sufficient to kill deer,and even get a pass thru.jyho.robert              

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=079329

Most DNR put a minimum poundage on bow hunting.  Check your local laws.  And good luck!!

Check your local laws.That will answer your questons.If you hunt legal and use common sense you should never have problems with any setup.jmo

Thanks everybody. Texas has a new law that has no minumum draw weight required. It used to be 50# then 40# and now no requirement. I will keep checking back if anybody else has any other advice or comments. God Bless to all.

Yes, would be my answer.

...and the DNR minimum draw weight is not just what is written on the bow but at your draw length.

I'am thinking a 350-400 grain arrow with a cut on contact broadhead from 38# bow at a short distance 10-15 yards will pass through most deer pending no bones are struck.However it only takes 4 inches of penatration to penatrate a deer chest and be into his or her heart.Shot placment is the key to a short blood trail.bd

please check out the thread my wife's first deer.35# er and that deer looks pretty dead to me.bd

Tracy killed 2 deer a few weeks ago with a 56"37#@26" Zipper recurve.The bow had carbon and foam limbs shooting a 450 grain arrow at 155fps with her shooting it.She was shooting an Abowyer brown bear broadhead.We bear shafted her set up for perfect arrow flight.I dont know how this compares to your set up,but she shot clear through one and the shaft was stuck in the ground.The other doe was alert and quartering away.The arrow penetrated 8" before hitting heavy bone.THe doe went strait down.IF you would like to read her hunting story the thread title is "A good week in Minnesota.

Pat B. -"...and the DNR minimum draw weight is not just what is written on the bow but at your draw length. "

That varies with the state. Some specify a draw of 28 inches and make no mention of draw at your draw length.

QuoteOriginally posted by wharvey:
Pat B. -"...and the DNR minimum draw weight is not just what is written on the bow but at your draw length. "

That varies with the state. Some specify a draw of 28 inches and make no mention of draw at your draw length.

Illinois is that way, which never made much sense to me. Our legal minimum draw weight for hunting whitetail deer is 40# @ 28". A guy shooting 50# @ 32" would likely be illegal, but someone shooting 35# @ 26" would be good to go.

I've shot quite a few critters with trad bows, including a few with bows in the 40#-42# range and never had any problems with the lethality of the set-up.  As others have said, a perfectly tuned arrow, sharp BH, and limiting the distance of the shot are key components of success.

Claudia

Jason....I'm not getting the "50# @ 32" would likely be illegal"???  I've only had coffee this morning, but that seems very odd to my old mind.

I think that what he is saying is that since it is 50# @ 32" it is possibly going to be under 40# at 28" making it illegal. Had to reread it a few times and think about it too.

yeah what he said got me too i thought he meant that he was drawing to 32" with a bow for a 28" draw.

Well, where the rubber meets the road, I don't think there will be any weighing/measuring going on.  Whatever it says on the bow is what most game wardens would look at, if they look at all.

In five decades I've never been questioned by one about my bow weight.  I probably had a better chance being struck by lightning.

IL says 40 lbs. within 28" of draw.  32" at  50lbs & assuming 3 lbs lost per inch would be 38 lbs draw at 28"